ZhongLian First (China United First) Consulting Company Limited was the first and only such Sino-foreign joint venture formed under the State Planning Commission of China (SPC) and licensed by the central government for the purpose of assisting Chinese governmental entities and corporations with the planning and development of key projects, and selection of and teaming with foreign companies for participation in approved projects. The SPC is the most powerful ministry of the Chinese government and is responsible for the planning and the approval process of all projects in China.

Since its establishment in 1995, ZhongLian First has assisted many international and Chinese companies with the development of their projects.