All Professionals
Overview
James Ma is a Partner in the Paul Hastings Hong Kong office. He has over twenty year’s extensive experience in the international legal practice related to corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and banking and financings, with a focus on the structuring and executing cross-border transactions in the greater-China region and Asian markets.
Mr. Ma’s practice focuses on leveraged financings, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, investment grade and high yield bond offerings, medium-term-note programs, US and Hong Kong IPOs, privatization of public companies, real estate financings, trade financings, project financings, business reorganizations and refinancings, syndicated banking facilities, revolving and working capital facilities, letters of credit, secured financings and various hedging, securitization and derivatives.
Mr. Ma represents large and medium sized stated owned enterprises, commercial companies, leading international investment banks, commercial banks (including major Chinese banks) and private equity funds in the structuring and negotiation of numerous business projects covering sectors such as commercial and residential real estate, hotel, energy, mining, heavy machinery, manufacturing, export and international trade, retail business, transportation, communication, high-tech, clean energy, biotech and medicine, textile, food and beverage, education, advertising and information technology.
Mr. Ma is a native of China and is fluent in English.
Education
- Mr. Ma received his L.L.B. degree in 1998, summa cum laude, and L.L.M. degree in 2000, summa cum laude, from Peking University School of Law, and his J.D. degree in 2003 (Dean’s List) from Cornell Law School where he was a recipient of the law school fellowship.
Representations
- Zhongtai International, Shenwan Hongyuan, Zheshang Bank, CEB International and Central Wealth Securities Investment as placing agents in the €40 million 1.9% guaranteed credit enhanced bonds due 2023 by Jinan Jibei New Town Supply Chain Service Co. Ltd, a Chinese state-owned supply chain enterprise in Shangdong. The offering is backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Zheshang Bank and guaranteed by Jiyang State-owned Investment Holding Group.
- Wuxi Xixi Industrial Development Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese stated-owned infrastructure construction enterprise in Wuxi City, on its US$100 million 2% credit enhanced bonds due 2025 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Bank of Ningbo.
- Wuxi Xixi Industrial Development Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese stated-owned infrastructure construction enterprise in Wuxi City, on its US$100 million 2% credit enhanced bonds due 2025 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Bank of Shanghai.
- Jiangsu Dieshiqiao Home Textile Industry Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned property leasing, infrastructure and resettlement housing construction enterprise in Nantong City, on its US$35 million 3% credit enhanced bonds due 2025 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by China Bohai Bank.
- Jiangsu Ruihai Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned real estate, property management, investment management and tourism development enterprise in Nantong City, on its US$100 million 1.9% credit enhanced bonds due 2023 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Bank of Shanghai.
- Rudong County Mintai Urban and Rural Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned infrastructure construction enterprise in Rudong County, Nantong City, on its US$100 million 2.9% credit enhanced bonds due 2025 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Bank of Shanghai.
- Jiangru Tenghai Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned real estate and agricultural development enterprise in Nantong City, on its US$100 million 3.4% credit enhanced bonds due 2023 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Bank of Jiangsu.
- Pingxiang City Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned infrastructure construction enterprise in Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province, on its US$244 million 4.5% credit enhanced bonds due 2025 backed by an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Bank of Jiujiang.
- Yanan New Area Investment Development, a leading Chinese financial services provider for municipal public work construction, land development, infrastructure and affordable housing construction, on the issuance of US$100 million 5% bonds due 2022. Zhongtai International and Zhongtai International (Singapore) acted as the joint global coordinators, joint lead managers and joint bookrunners. Hung Sing Securities, Central Wealth Securities, Haitong Bank and Wilson Securities acted as the joint lead managers and joint bookrunners.
- Mizuho Bank as lender in a US$300 million loan facility to Baosteel Resources International.
- Jiangsu Dieshiqiao Home Textile Industry Group, a Chinese state-owned property leasing, infrastructure and resettlement housing construction enterprise, in its issuance of US$100 million 2.2% credit enhanced bonds due 2024. The offering was supported by an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit by Bank of Jiangsu. AMC Wanhai Securities and China Galaxy International acted as the joint global coordinators, joint lead managers and joint bookrunners, while ICBC International, Industrial Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank acted as the joint lead managers and joint bookrunners.
- Contemporary Ruiding Development Limited and its parent company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, a leading electric vehicles battery brand based in China, as the issuer and guarantor respectively, in the issuance of US$500 million 1.5% bonds due 2026. HSBC, Merrill Lynch and ICBC International acted as the joint global coordinators, joint bookrunners and joint lead managers. Barclays, BNP Paribas, CITIC Bank International, China Minsheng Bank, Citigroup and CMB International acted as the joint bookrunners and joint lead managers.
- AMC Wanhai Securities, China Galaxy International, Vision Capital International, Soochow Securities and Central Wealth Securities Investment as the joint lead managers in the issuance of US$50 million 5.5% bonds due 2022 by Rudong County Tongtai Investment Group, a Chinese state-owned investment, financing and operating platform for urban infrastructure construction.
- AMC Wanhai Securities, Haitong International, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Galaxy International Securities, CMBC Securities, Industrial Bank and Guoyuan Capital as the joint lead managers in the issuance of US$150 million 2.8% credit enhanced bonds due 2024 by Rudong County Jinxin Transportation Engineering Construction Investment Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned infrastructure investment company.
- Contemporary Ruiding Development Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (“CATL”), a leading electric vehicles battery brand based in China, in its issuance of US$1.5 billion debut offshore bond. The offering involved US$1 billion of 1.875% guaranteed bonds due 2025 and US$500 million of 2.625% guaranteed bonds due 2030 and guaranteed by CATL. HSBC, Merrill Lynch, ICBC International and CMB International acted as the joint global coordinators, joint bookrunners and joint lead managers. Barclays, Bank of China, CCB International, CITIC Bank International, China Everbright Bank, China Minsheng Bank, China PA Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Citigroup, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and Standard Chartered Bank acted as the joint bookrunners and joint lead managers.
- UBS, Barclays Bank, ICBC International Securities, Guotai Junan Securities, Bank of Communications, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Construction Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities, MUFG Securities, CLSA and United Overseas Bank as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners on the issuance by Shanghai Electric Group Global Investment of its US$300 million guaranteed bonds. The bonds were guaranteed by Shanghai Electric (Group) and listed on the Singapore Exchange.
- UBS, Barclays Bank, ICBC International Securities, Guotai Junan Securities, Bank of Communications, Oversea-Chinese Banking, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Construction Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities and MUFG Securities as the underwriters on the US$500 million guaranteed bonds by Shanghai Electric Group Global Investment. The bonds were guaranteed by Shanghai Electric (Group), one of the largest equipment manufacturing conglomerates and one of the three major power equipment suppliers in the PRC.
- COSCO SHIPPING Holdings, the largest integrated shipping company in China, on a loan facility in relation to finance the voluntary general cash offer for all of the issued shares of Orient Overseas (International), made by the wholly-owned subsidiaries of COSCO SHIPPING Holdings and Shanghai International Port (Group) for a total value of up to US$6.3 billion. The combination will create one of the largest global container liners in the world. This transaction was awarded “Deal of the Year 2018” by the China Business Law Journal.
- CTBC Bank as the lead arranger and agent in the US$135 million loan facilities to a portfolio company of Partners Group.
- Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank as the lead arranger and agent in the US$200 million and EUR60 million loan facilities to a portfolio company of IK Investment Group.
- Cathay United Bank as lender in a US$30 million loan facility to a portfolio company of Zoyi Capital.
- Australia and New Zealand Banking, Commonwealth Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Westpac Bank as lead arrangers in a US$567 million loan facility to Baosteel Resources Australia Pty Ltd.
- Rabobank as mandated lead arranger and agent in its US$430 million loan facilities to Trammo Inc.
- COSCO in its US$1 billion loan facility.
- Techtronic Industries in its US$220 million syndicated loan facilities arranged by Bank of China.
- Techtronic Industries in its multiple loan facilities totaling US$234 million from Mizuho, BTMU, Bank of China, Citibank and Bank of America.
- Warburg Pincus and e-Shang, one of the largest pan-Asia logistics developers and operators, in obtaining a US$120 million financing and a US$100 million add-on facility from institutional lenders.
- Energy Development Corporation in its US$175 million facility from International Finance Corporation, and US$90 million and US$80 million loan facilities from lender groups led by HSBC.
- First Gen Corporation in its US$265 million and US$80 million project financing facilities from KfW.
- Hahn & Company in its US$45 million secured loan facility from HSBC.
- Ping An Fund in its acquisition of a 47.4% interest in New York Stock Exchange-listed AutoHome from Telstra for US$1.6 billion and related financing facilities. This transaction was awarded "Deal of the Year 2016" by China Business Law Journal.
- Prologis China in its US$60 million and RMB60 million loan facilities from HSBC.
- ThreeSixty Group in its US$150 million term loan and US$30 million revolving loan facilities.
- China (Shipping) in its US$150 million margin loan facilities from lender group led by Deutsche Bank.
- Taipei Fubon Bank in a GBP46.7 million to a Hong Kong company.
- CTBC Bank in a HK$300 million and RMB225 million loan facilities to Choice Wise International.
- J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse as mandated lead arrangers of financing for the US$470 million acquisition by NASDAQ-listed Home Inns & Hotel Management Inc. of Motel 168 International Holdings Ltd. from Morgan Stanley and related shareholders. Home Inns is China's largest, and Motel 168 is China's fifth largest, operator of discount budget hotels. This transaction was awarded “Best China Deal of the Year 2011” by FinanceAsia and “Deal of the Year 2011” by China Business Law Journal and IFR Asia.
- WH Group (formerly known as Shuanghui International) in its US$1.5 billion syndicated bank financing.
- Nomura and other mandated lead arrangers in the US$330 million term loan financing for AsiaInfo-Linkage, Inc.'s US$890 million going-private transaction managed by a consortium led by Chinese private equity investor CITIC Capital Partners. AsiaInfo-Linkage, Inc. is China's leading provider of telecommunication software solutions. This transaction marked China's second-largest PE sponsored privatization.
- Sino-Ocean Land in its issuance of US$600 million of perpetual securities. Bank of China, CITIC Bank International, China Merchants Securities, DBS, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Industrial and UBS were the joint lead managers.
- Yuzhou Properties in its issuance of US$300 million of perpetual securities. BOCI, Citi, Credit Suisse, HSBC, Huatai, Industrial Bank, Haitong International Securities and Yuzhou Financial were the underwriters.
- New Lion Bridge Co., Ltd. in the issuance of US$160 million guaranteed senior notes, guaranteed by its sole shareholder, Lionbridge Capital. Guotai Junan International, UBS, ICBC International and Zhongtai International were the underwriters.
- Deutsche Bank, Haitong International Securities, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch International and HSBC as the initial purchasers in the issuance of US$350 million senior notes due 2020 by Future Land Development Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong-listed Chinese property developer.
- Yuzhou Properties, a leading property developer in China, in its issuance of US$350 million senior notes due 2022. BOC International, Haitong International Securities, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Yuzhou Financial, AMTD, China Galaxy International, Citi, HSBC and Zhongtai International were the joint lead managers.
- Yuzhou Properties in its issuance of US$250 million senior notes due 2023. BOC International, Credit Suisse, Haitong International Securities, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) and Yuzhou Financial were the joint lead managers.
- China Everbright Limited in its issuance of US$600 million (RMB$4 billion) panda bonds denominated in RMB.
- Shaoxing City Investment (HK) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shaoxing City Investment Group Limited (“SCIG”), in the issuance of US$300 million bonds due 2019. SCIG is the main urban infrastructure investment platform of the Shaoxing Municipal Government. This is one of the first offshore bond issue by a municipal government issuer in the PRC.
- China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited in the landmark restructuring, comprising a series of asset acquisitions and disposals among its patent companies and its subsidiaries. The restructuring represents a substantial reconfiguration of two of China’s leading state-owned enterprises which, on a combined basis, will become the world’s fourth largest container-shipping company. This transaction was awarded “Deal of the Year 2016” by Asia Business Law Journal.
- China VAST Industrial Urban Development Company Limited in the issuance of its secured guaranteed convertible bonds due 2018 and 12% secured guaranteed notes due 2018 in an aggregate principal amount of US$100 million.
- Haitong International Securities Company Limited, Standard Chartered Bank and CMB International Capital Limited as the managers for the issuance of US$670 million guaranteed bonds due 2020 by Haitong International Finance Holdings 2015 limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Haitong Securities Co., Ltd.
- Baosteel Financing in its US$500 million issuance of guaranteed bonds, guaranteed by Baosteel Resources International Company Limited.
- Deutsche Bank, Haitong International, HSBC and Huatai Financial Holdings as the managers in the US$700 million issuance of guaranteed bonds by Haitong International Finance, guaranteed by Haitong International Securities Group Limited.
- Yuzhou Properties in its series of high yield bonds listed in Hong Kong.
- Haitong International Securities Group Limited, a subsidiary of Haitong Securities Co., Ltd., the second largest securities firm in China by total assets, in its approximately US$150 million issuance of convertible bonds.
- Wuxi Nengda Thermoelectricity Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise in Wuxi City, China, as the guarantor, on its issuance of RMB750 million 4.2% credit enhanced guaranteed bonds due 2025 by Hongkong Yunlin International Co., Limited in Shanghai Free Trade Zone and listed on the Chongwa (Macao) Financial Asset Exchange.
- Nan’an Development Investment Group Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise located in Fujian Province, China, focuses on trading and infrastructure construction, on its issuance of RMB1.15 billion 3.7% bonds due 2027. Fortune Origin Securities, Wanhai Securities, Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch, China Securities International, China International Capital Corporation, and Haitong International acted as joint global coordinators, joint lead managers, and joint bookrunners.
- Nan’an Development Investment Group Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise located in Fujian Province, China, focuses on trading and infrastructure construction, on its issuance of RMB650 million 4.5% bonds due 2027. Fortune Origin Securities, Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch, China Securities International, and Bank of China acted as joint global coordinators, joint lead managers, and joint bookrunners.
- Quan Cheng Financial Holdings (BVI) Limited, a leading state-owned financial service enterprise in Shandong province, China, on its issuance of US$283 million 6.3% guaranteed bonds due 2027 unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Jinan Financial Holding Group Co., Ltd. Guotai Junan International, China Securities International, CITIC Securities, Haitong Bank, and Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch acted as joint global coordinators, joint bookrunners, and joint lead managers.
Involvement
- Mr. Ma is a member of the State Bar of New York, the American Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong.