A CHINESE lawyer living in Bishopthorpe has won the award for "Rising Star of the Year" at the prestigious seventh annual Yorkshire Lawyer Awards, in recognition of his work in developing links between Yorkshire and China.

Josh Wong, 34, who is an associate at DLA Piper Leeds, and a non-executive director of York labelmaker, William Session Holdings Ltd, was given the accolade in the face of strong competition at an award ceremony held at Ripley Castle.

The Yorkshire Lawyer Awards honour outstanding legal talent from across the region and were hosted by YTV's Gaynor Barnes and attended by more than 300 Yorkshire professionals.

ConnectChina director Joanna Lavan nominated Josh for the award. She said: "Josh is by far the most prominent lawyer on China matters in Yorkshire and the first port of call for many businesses in the region needing legal advice on their investments in China.

"He works tirelessly to promote Yorkshire business links with China and is widely respected by organisations in Yorkshire who advise on and promote China related activities. I am delighted to see him win this award."

Josh, moved to York from London in January 2005 with his two children and wife, Polly, who is the eldest daughter of William Mark Sessions, the managing director of William Sessions Ltd of Huntington.

Since then, he has used his expertise in international trade and disputes to build up a practice advising major companies in this region on their interests in China and also acting for Chinese companies who have established operations in Yorkshire. He is a regular visitor back to his homeland where he promotes investment into Yorkshire and gives presentations to Chinese companies on legal aspects of starting a business in the UK.