FenXun Partners is on a recruitment drive in China, as it seeks to further develop the ground breakingJoint Operation with Baker McKenzie, which has been operating through the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) since 2015. As part of that strategy, FenXun Partners today announces the appointment of Abe Zhao as International Tax Director.

This appointment builds on the success of the Baker McKenzie FenXun (FTZ)Joint Operation, the first of its kind in China, which in two years has grown from 20 to 40 lawyers.The Joint Operation is currently working on more than 1,300 matters, both transactional and non-transactional for both Baker McKenzie and FenXun clients, delivering seamless international and PRC law advice.

Abe's role will focus on global tax strategy, structures and transfer pricing, as he brings rich experience spanning the high-tech, consumer, e-commerce, industrial markets, resources, engineering and construction, real estate, entertainment and pharmaceuticals sectors, among others.

Abe joins the Firm from Huawei, where he was a Global Tax Director for consumer business group and e-commerce. Throughout his career, he has held a number of key roles both in-house with U.S. and PRC MNCs as well as the Big Four accounting firms. Over the years, Abehas worked in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Atlanta and Los Angeles, and has managed a large number of engagements in a cross-border context. He is experienced in providing tax planning and advisory for outbound investment by Chinese companies in the U.S. and globally, and inbound tax structuring, repatriation and exit planning for foreign investment into China.

Commenting on Abe's arrival, Wang Yingzhe, Managing Partner of FenXun Partners, said, "Abe has the knowledge, aptitude and experience to cover both PRC and global MNCclients, and both inbound and outbound work. We are pleased to welcome Abe and look forward to his contributions to our team. We believe investing in new practice areas like tax is critical to enhance the Firm's standing in the face of growing competition in the market. It also demonstrates to our clients the growth of our Joint Operation platform."

Abe said, "China is a booming market for tax issues due to changes in global tax transparency, increasing audits, a growing appetite for expansion into the China market from MNCs, and increasing outbound investment from PRC companies. I look forward to working closely with FenXun Partners and its Joint Operation team with Baker McKenzie on these matters."