Shanghai, 3 November 2008 – Baker & McKenzie recently advised Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group CO. (“OPG”), a well-known cultural and entertainment company which owns the city's Oriental Pearl Tower, to set up a joint venture with Hong Kong Anschutz Entertainment Group China Limited (“HK AEG”) to operate the Shanghai World Expo Performing Arts Centre, a 18,000-seat arena which will hold most of the performances during the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

The joint venture will be in charge of daily operations of the centre and manage the ticketing and promotion of performances. It will take part in the design and construction of the centre, estimated to eventually cost RMB2.4 billion (approximately US$350 million).  The 1.35 million square foot (approximately 126,000 square meters) shell-like arena will feature a music club, cinemas, an ice rink, restaurants and retail space. It will become one of the four permanent fixtures at the Shanghai World Expo site after its completion.

HK AEG is a joint venture between Anschutz Entertainment Group (“AEG”) and The National Basketball Association (“NBA”). AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. It operates more than 90 major facilities worldwide, including London's O2 arena, Berlin's O2 World and the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. NBA, which formally created its NBA China division in January, has relationships with 51 Chinese telecasters.

The Baker & McKenzie team was led by partner Danian Zhang, and included associates Victor Gu and Cynthia Zhong. The team had lead responsibility for legal documentation, corporate and regulatory issues, and general transaction management.