China Eastern Airlines has signed a deal with law firm Baker McKenzie for help expanding its operations overseas.

China Eastern has been a client of the Chicago-based law firm since the 1990s, and will need further legal advice as it bids to operate in more countries.

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"Our business around the globe should follow the laws and regulations, so reaching an agreement with Baker McKenzie is a crucial part in our internationalization," said Guo Junxiu, general counsel for China Eastern, as a signing ceremony was held at the firm’s New York offices on Tuesday.

Baker McKenzie has worked with China Eastern on many of its major initiatives, including the company's initial public offering in Hong Kong and a 450-million-US-dollar investment from Delta Air Lines in 2015.

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As one of China's three flagship carriers, China Eastern has over 600 aircraft. The company had revenue of nearly 15 billion US dollars last year, 40 percent of which came from the international market. In 2016, the airline provided 131 flights to 21 countries and 45 cities.

It is aiming to reach a fleet size of 822 by 2020, according to a company report. 

(With inputs from Xinhua)