Leading Singapore law firm Rajah & Tann has added international arbitration attorney Hew Kian Heong as a partner in its China office, as the firm looks to deepen its China capabilities following the signing of an upgraded trade pact between PRC and Singapore.

Hew was previously the head of construction and infrastructure disputes at Herbert Smith Freehills’ joint China operation firm. Kewei. He has advised and represented Chinese and international corporations on arbitrations, litigations and mediations in China, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Stockholm, Geneva, and London, and on projects spanning from Asia to South America.

He also regularly advises client project teams on project implementation issues and disputes and risk mitigation, with a view to avoiding expensive litigation and arbitration.

Hew’s hire is part of a larger plan by R&T to expand its China presence and comes at a time when China and Singapore have taken their bilateral ties a notch higher with the signing of the upgraded China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in December.

Under the latest changes, Singapore will be able to secure greater market access to China’s services sectors and Singapore investors and service suppliers will also enjoy more liberal and transparent rules that level the playing field for them to invest in and trade with China, Rajah & Tann said in a statement.

“China will be an increasingly important market for Rajah & Tann and we have plans to deepen and broaden our presence there,” said Patrick Ang, managing partner at the firm.