Asia-Pacific鈥檚 largest logistics real estate platform ESR Cayman has entered into a US$500m (鈧450m) joint venture to invest in China logistics real estate.

ESR said the venture, which is ESR鈥檚 second partnership with GIC, will focus on the development of 鈥渋nstitutional grade, state-of-the-art鈥 logistics facilities in key cities across China.

Jeffrey Shen, co-founder and co-CEO of ESR, said: 鈥淲e are excited to extend our partnership with GIC, riding on the successful collaboration the two companies have built in Japan.鈥

Shen said this second partnership with GIC is a testament to ESR鈥檚 solid capability and track record of developing best-in-class logistics facilities in prime locations across China.

鈥淎s home to the world鈥檚 biggest e-commerce market, demand for logistics properties will continue to thrive in China as infrastructure such as modern warehousing will be a backbone of the new economy, serving the online and offline needs of retail businesses,鈥 Shen said.

In China, ESR鈥檚 total gross fixed asset of the portfolio assets held on the group鈥檚 balance sheet and in the funds and investment vehicles it manages comprised 6.62m sqm, and total assets under management reached over US$4.39bn, as of 30 June 2019.