Linklaters has shaken up its China practice with the appointment of new management and the hire of a partner from Morrison & Foerster (MoFo).

MoFo corporate partner Tien-yo Chao, who is set to join Linklaters in August, will split his time between Hong Kong and Beijing.

He has a particular focus on M&A and equity capital markets, and before joining MoFo in 2003 was a partner at Slaughter and May.

In addition, the magic circle has appointed corporate partner Fang Jian as national managing partner of its China arm and corporate partner Betty Yap as head of the China practice.

Jian will lead the firm's growth strategy in China and take management responsibility for the China group, which comprises offices in Beijing and Shanghai as well as a China-focused team based in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Yap's brief will include tightening links between the firm's China practice and its international clients and global network.

Regional managing partner Stuart Salt (pictured) commented: "This is an exciting and dynamic time for us as we develop further our platform over the next few years to meet our business objective of remaining the long-term leading international firm in Greater China."

The news comes after Linklaters last week announced its 2010-11 financial results. Revenues grow by 1.4% to £1.2bn over the year, with the firm's Asia & Middle East group contributing a total of £151.4m.