Clifford Chance (CC) capital markets partner Rupert Li has joined King & Wood as the Chinese firm's new global managing partner.

Li, a former partner in CC's Beijing office and member of the firm's management committee, will lead King & Wood's efforts to expand its international law capability with a focus on Hong Kong.

He joined CC in 2006 from the Hong Kong office of US firm Morrison & Foerster, and was part of the team that last year represented Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) in its unsuccessful $19.5bn (£13.3bn) attempt to acquire an 18% stake in Rio Tinto.

He also advised on last year's multibillion-dollar initial public offerings of China Minsheng Bank and China Longyuan Power Group.

King & Wood founding partner Wang Junfeng commented: "Rupert will benefit our management and governance as a result of his experience as a partner at one of the most admired international firms. He will focus on our international business including our Hong Kong office as well as both inbound and outbound work of the firm."

CC Asia managing partner Peter Charlton said: "In the four years since he joined CC, Rupert has made a significant contribution to the growth and management of our China practice and to the development of our lawyers in China. He has been a respected member of several firm management committees and a good friend and mentor to his colleagues in China."

King & Wood is one of China's largest firms, with more than 800 lawyers in a dozen domestic offices. The firm last year acquired Hong Kong firm Arculli Fong & Ng and has opened offices in Tokyo, Silicon Valley and New York.