Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has confirmed it will launch in Beijing this May, after being granted a licence by the Chinese authorities.

The representative office, from which BLP will focus on real estate and infrastructure projects, will be headed by former BLP chairman Peter Robinson, who has been on secondment in Shanghai with key client Tesco for much of last year.

The office will work with the firm's Chinese clients on their offshore investments, as well as supporting international clients' investments in mainland China.

The Beijing base will mark the firm's third Asia presence, alongside Hong Kong and Singapore.

In a statement, Robinson said: "China is a leading player in the world economy and is continuing to grow at a faster rate than more mature economies. Establishing our first office in mainland China is a key part of our strategy to ensure we are on the ground in the markets where our clients are based or are looking to invest."

BLP managing partner Neville Eisenberg added: "We have made a significant investment into developing our international capabilities and the launch of a representative office in Beijing is an important milestone. Our strategy of focusing our growth in emerging markets has already paid dividends; we have seen 71% growth in our international revenues over the last three years."

A large number of US and UK firms already have bases in Beijing, including all of the magic circle. Earlier this year, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher confirmed that it plans to open a local office in the first quarter of 2013, while Eversheds last September secured a licence for its long-planned launch in the city.

For more, see Former BLP chairman seconded to Tesco in bid for Asia business.