Chengdong Xing

Senior Associate

Mainland China

Chengdong is an international arbitration lawyer with a specialization in the construction and infrastructure sectors, advising Chinese and multinational clients on all aspects of complex construction projects.

Chengdong has represented clients in international arbitrations under the CIETAC, AAA, SIAC, and KCAB rules, as well as litigated cases in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court.

With a strong foothold in the construction and infrastructure sectors, Chengdong provides legal services to clients throughout the life cycle of numerous infrastructure and landmark construction projects. His in-house experience with a leading construction conglomerate has equipped him with vast industry expertise, enabling him to precisely understand and swiftly address the specific needs and technicalities of construction-related issues.

Chengdong serves as the Vice Chair of the Central/East Asia & China Committee of ABA International Law Section. He has delivered lectures on international arbitration and construction disputes at Tsinghua University, Tongji University, and the Shanghai Bar Association.

Accolades

2021 Outstanding Young Lawyers Award – Up & Rising, China Legal Education & Career Seminar Series (CLECSS)
Top-Rated Construction Litigation Attorney – Rising Stars 2021, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers
2020 Rising Stars in Real Estate, Crain’s New York Business

Chengdong's experience includes:

a Chinese contractor in a DIFC case over disputes related to performance and advance payment guarantees
a Chinese SOE in whole life-cycle legal services for a chemical EPC project in Europe, valued at nearly US$1.5 billion
a Chinese SOE in the assessment of claims and counter-claims in relation to its wind power EPC project in Kenya, with a dispute value exceeding US$30 million
a Chinese SOE in the preparation of claims and subsequent potential arbitration for its thermal power EPC project in the Middle East, involving complex EOT and Force Majeure claims, with an estimated value in dispute over US$100 million
a multinational energy company in an arbitration proceeding under AAA International Dispute Resolution Procedures, arising from several contracts related to the operation and maintenance of a wind farm, with a total value in dispute over US$30 million*
a US developer in a claim for extension of time against a US-listed contractor in an arbitration under the AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Rules, involving a construction dispute concerning a New York landmark with a sum of dispute in excess of US$180 million*
a Chinese developer defending against a claim from a US contractor for a luxury residential project in New York, with a disputed sum exceeding US$25 million*

*prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills

Background

Chengdong is admitted to practice in New York and qualified in China. He obtained an LL.B. from East China University of Political Science and Law and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law. Before relocating to Shanghai, Chengdong practiced in New York and Beijing.