Kennedys has ramped up its presence in the China market by securing a co-operation agreement with Mainland China firm AnJie.

AnJie, which has 24 lawyers working across offices in Beijing and Shanghai, focuses on the insurance sector. The arrangement will mainly focus on corporate insurance and insurance dispute resolution work.

Under the agreement, both firms will assist each other's clients on acquisitions, investments, antitrust, disputes and regulatory matters.

The deal adds to Kennedys' existing presence in Asia, adding Mainland China reach to offices in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Kennedys senior partner Nick Thomas said: "This co-operation progresses a long term working relationship with AnJie, and marks the beginning of even closer ties for Kennedys with the People's Republic of China.

"We will continue to look for growth predicated on client need and strong market opportunities."

AnJie managing partner Zhan Hao added: "There are a lot of similarities between our firms, and we have already worked seamlessly with Kennedys on various projects."

Last month Kennedys secured its first aviation partners in Asia, with the hire of a seven-lawyer team for its Singapore and Hong Kong offices, six of whom joined from Clyde & Co in Singapore and one from Norton Rose Fulbright's Sydney office.