David Li
Biography
Overview
David Li serves as the Executive Partner of the Beijing Office. Based in Beijing since 2006, David focuses primarily on China inbound and outbound financing and investment transactions. David has earned commendations and awards for a number of his deals. He is highly recognized as "remains a respected practitioner in the market. He is capable of handling inbound and outbound transactions, advising on both equity and debt financing." and "regularly assists with complex project financing". He is highly praised by clients "His professionalism, competence and effectiveness make him an integral part of our deal team. He is personable, commercially savvy and business-minded". David was also described as "professional, practical and has a deep knowledge of the market." (Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2023).
David advises companies and financial institutions on equity and debt financings in transactions involving a diverse spectrum of industries such as real-estate, retail, clean energy, utilities, manufacturing, education, telecommunications and natural resources. Clients come to David for his ability to structure, navigate and execute, with English and Chinese bilingual native language efficiency, highly complex and bespoke event driven equity and debt financing products ranging from public and private straight, equity-linked, high-yield, leveraged, PIPE and mezzanine financings, either on a bilateral, club or syndicated basis.
Experience
Syndicated blue loan for Bank of Qingdao, 2023
International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) and Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique (Proparco) on a US$150 million syndicated blue loan for Bank of Qingdao, one of the first blue loans in Asia and globally.
Haier social bonds issuance, 2022
Advised International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) on an investment of up to US$200 million in five-year social bonds issued by Haier Financial Services Co., Ltd., a first of its kind by a non-bank financial institution in China.
Recapitalization buy-out merger of Fullerton Health, 2022
Advised RRJ Capital on its recapitalization buy-out merger of Singapore-based Fullerton Healthcare Corporation Limited. This deal was shortlisted as "Loan Deal of the Year" and "Private Equity Deal of the Year" by IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2023.
CMOC niobium mining bridge and pre-export financing, 2022
Advised CMOC Group, one of China's largest state owned mining companies and world’s second largest producer of niobium, on a ground-breaking US$600 million bridge and five year pre-export financing (PXF) arranged by China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Ltd. and provided by a syndicate consisting of People's Republic of China and international lenders. This is one of the first PXF transactions by a Chinese mining company and has one of the longest international PXF terms. The transaction was awarded "Deal of the Year" for 2022 by China Business Law Journal.
Zhanatas wind farm financing, 2021
Advised AIIB, EBRD, ICBC and the Green Climate Fund on the project financing for the construction and operation of the 100 MW Zhanatas wind farm in Kazakhstan. The transaction was awarded "Deal of the Year" for 2021 by China Business Law Journal, and the "Projects & Energy Deal of the Year" by The In-House Community.
gategroup buyout, 2019
Advised RRJ Capital in connection with its buyout acquisition and related acquisition financing of gategroup Holding AG from HNA Aviation (Hong Kong) Air Catering Holding Co., Limited.
China Molybdenum debut bond offering, 2019
Advised China Molybdenum, a leading global diversified mining conglomerate in China dual-listed on the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges, on its debut Regulation S offering of unrated US$300 million 5.48% guaranteed bonds due 2022.
Significant structured equity-linked debt investment HNA Aviation (Hong Kong) Air Catering Holding Co., Limited, 2018
Advised RRJ Capital in connection with its US$930 million senior secured guaranteed mandatory exchangeable bond financing and US$600 million senior secured guaranteed bridge term financing for HNA Aviation (Hong Kong) Air Catering Holding Co., Limited, the sole shareholder of gategroup Holding AG, a Zurich headquartered global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services.
Leading Individual, Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 – 2023
China, Banking and Finance: Foreign Firms
Notable Practitioner, Chambers Greater China Region 2018 – 2023 and Chambers Global 2022
China - Banking & Finance: China-based (International Firms) and China - Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms)
