Mr Zhao completed his graduate study in Shanghai Maritime University in 1990, his training on international arbitration in Hong Kong in 1995, and his postgraduate study in China University of Political Science and Law in 2005 respectively. He was admitted to bar since 1992.
Mr Zhao has extensive experience dealing with matters involving maritime and admiralty, ship building, offshore equipment building, offshore engineering, overseas infrastructure, international trade, financing trade, finance & insurance, finance lease, investment and corporate transaction, and in particular litigation and arbitration in and outside China. He has successfully managed and dealt with a variety of complex and high-value disputes. In addition, he has also provided advice and consultation on litigation and non-contentious issues for a number of large enterprises. The professional service he has provided is highly praised of in legal circle.
Mr Zhao is recognized as one of the top commercial lawyers in and outside China. Over the years, he was awarded by Asia Law & Practice as “Top Chinese lawyer” for several times. He was awarded by Asia Legal Business as “ALB China 2013 Top 10 China Litigators”, “ALB China 2017 Top 15 China Litigators” and “ALB China 2019 Top 15 China Litigators”. In 2018, he was awarded by Guangzhou Lawyers Association as one of the 10 “Elite Foreign Business Lawyers of Guangzhou City”. In 2019, he was awarded by Chambers and Partners as “Eminent Practitioner” in maritime & admiralty area. Moreover, Mr Zhao is also an arbitrator of Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration and the Vice President of Guangdong Great Canton Bay Supply Chain Institute.
Social Activities
2018 to present, Guangdong Transport Law Society, Vice President
2017 to present, Guangdong Great Canton Bay Supply Chain Institute, Vice President
2015 to present, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Arbitrator
Acting for Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. as Builders in a case of dispute over the construction of a derrick pipe laying vessel against Petrofac Limited as Owners, in which we organized and led a team consisting of attorneys and experts from China and Britain to represent the clients in arbitration proceedings before London Court of International Arbitration;
Acting for Zhong Wei Technology Co., Ltd as Buyer in a case of dispute over the purchase and sale of a self-elevating wind turbine installation unit against Full Win International Co., Ltd as Sellers, in which we have been representing the clients in arbitration proceedings before Hong Kong International Arbitration Center;
Acting for Columbia Grain Trading Inc and Marubeni Corporation in several cases of dispute over purchase and sale of soybean against their Chinese buyers, in which we represented the clients in arbitration proceedings before FOSFA and GAFTA and in court proceedings before Liaoning Higher People's Court, Shangdong Higher People's Court and the Supreme People's Court in China and participated in negotiation with General Administration of Customs and other customs about the their tariff issues;
Acting for GNG Ocean Shipping Co.,Ltd in several cases of dispute over trading and financing, letter of credit and release of cargo without production of original bills of lading in relation to its vessels "Yue You 901", "Yue You 902" and "Yue You 903", in which we represented the clients in or assisted the clients with their arbitration and court proceedings in Britain, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Malaysia and China;
Acting for Guangzhou Salvage Bureau of Ministry of Transport in a case of dispute over the sinking of floating dock during the sea towage of M/V "De Yue" against its insurer. The case has been selected and regarded as The Belt and Road Model Case;
Acting for China Harbour Engineering Arabia Company Limited in a case of dispute arising from a dredging project in South Arabia against Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC, in which we represented the clients in arbitration proceedings before London Court of International Arbitration;
Acting for the Second Engineering Company of CCCC Fourth Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd in a case of dispute arising from a construction project in Shantou, in which we have been representing the clients in court and arbitration proceedings in China;
Advising China Merchants Commerce Financial Leasing Co., Ltd on the financing and leasing of three offshore engineering platforms;
Advising Mitsui & Co. on their market entrance, law compliance, etc. in China;
Advising American International School of Guangzhou on education service contract, education right, personal right, etc., and representing the clients in court proceedings in China.
