Ince & Co has launched an office in Beijing after applying for a licence to open in the city last year.

The firm announced the opening of its new base today (25 July), with Shanghai contentious shipping partner Wai Yue Loh relocated to the city to head up the new outfit.

The office will focus on contentious and non-contentious shipping and international trade work, and marks Ince's third office in the Greater China region alongside Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The firm also has an office in Singapore and currently takes in 18% of its total revenue from its Asia arm.

Loh joined Ince in 2010 and was made up to partner at the firm last year.

Loh said: "A base in the business and political heart of the People's Republic of China not only provides proximity to our clients' operations in Beijing and in northern ports such as Tianjin, Dalian and Qingdao, but also assists us in maintaining close relationships with government authorities.

"Having worked previously in a number of cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and London, I am particularly excited to lead our ambitious team as the first to offer on the ground English shipping and trade law expertise in Beijing."

The news comes after the firm also opened in Monaco in August last year, with Ince granted a licence specifically to practise English law in shipping and energy in the region.

The Beijing launch takes the total number of offices at the firm to 11.