I don't want to out myself (PM for more info I guess) but I am in need of some big law career advice. I am 3L at a T6, been working at a V50 firm's China office for the last 2 summers (I didn't go through OCI, I guess just lucky enough to get a 1L summer job). My firm has kindly given me the choice of either working as associate at the China office or the NYC office, and I am not sure which option is best for my career.

First, I really like working in China, I got family there, food is great, and my SO prefers to work in her home town instead of NYC. However, I don't think I want to be in China for the rest of my life and I want to come back to the US eventually (preferable NJ area, grew up there). Second, I have heard that it is insanely difficult for me to make partner from a satellite office, and the exit options aren't as good compared to leaving from the NYC office. Honestly I don't know really how truthful that is, if someone had similar experience please advice. Lastly, I just don't feel like I am going to be doing much law related work in China, I mean the Chinese associates are doing a lot of work for sure, but I feel like I am just doing busy work and going to a load of meetings with the partner because my Chinese is good (this is from my summer experience, maybe as an associate it will be different????)

Thanks a lot