Complete Guide Library
79 comprehensive, SEO-optimized guides covering every aspect of foreign investment in China - from entity setup to ongoing compliance. Includes 2026 deep-dive guides with exact data and calculations.
Not sure where to start? Browse by topic - each topic pairs the guides with the tools that decide them.
Entity Setup
How to Register a WFOE in China
Complete step-by-step guide to setting up a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise in 2026.
Joint Venture vs WFOE: Which to Choose?
Compare pros, cons, and use cases for China entity types.
Representative Office Setup Guide
When and how to establish a Rep Office for market research.
China Business License Application
Complete 2026 guide to obtaining your business license in China.
Registered Capital Requirements
Minimum capital requirements and contribution timelines explained.
Open Corporate Bank Account in China
Bank selection, documentation, and account opening procedures.
Hong Kong Holding Company Structure
Tax benefits and setup guide for HK holding companies.
Shanghai FTZ Company Registration
Complete guide to registering in Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
WFOE Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros and cons of WFOE vs JV vs Rep Office. When to choose each entity type in China.
WFOE Cost by City 2026
First-year WFOE costs compared across 10+ cities: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hainan, Xi'an.
China Representative Office Registration Guide
Step-by-step Rep Office setup: documents, cost, timeline, limitations, and conversion to WFOE.
China Joint Venture Setup Guide
JV setup process, EJV vs CJV, JV contract essentials, IP protection, and when JV is required.
Setting Up a WFOE in Shanghai
Shanghai WFOE guide: FTZ vs non-FTZ, 15% CIT in Lingang, registration process, costs, best districts.
Trading WFOE Guide: Import/Export
How to set up a trading WFOE: import/export license, customs, domestic distribution, VAT treatment.
China WFOE Requirements Checklist
Complete WFOE requirements: documents, capital, legal rep, supervisor, Negative List check.
WFOE vs JV for AI Startups in China (2026)
Data localization, ICP licensing, and investor expectations: pick the right AI entity structure with a 2026 decision framework.
SaaS Company China Setup Checklist 2026: Entity, Licensing, Data
Five phases from entity to first invoice: pilot-city selection, telecom licensing, MLPS, payments, and go-to-market compliance.
Yiwu Cross-Border E-Commerce: Couple Store Case Study (2026)
The Yiwu couple-store path in 2026: 1039 market procurement trade, WFOE vs domestic ownership, founder work permits, real costs, and the traps that kill these ventures.
Taxation
China Corporate Income Tax Guide
CIT rates, incentives, and compliance requirements for foreign companies.
China VAT Rates Explained
Value-added tax rates, exemptions, and refund procedures.
China Individual Income Tax Guide
IIT rates, deductions, and filing requirements for expats.
Tax Incentives for Foreign Investors
R&D deductions, CIT holidays, and VAT refunds available.
How to Repatriate Profits from China
Dividend distribution, withholding tax, and SAFE procedures.
Cross-Border Payments in China
Compliance requirements for international transfers.
China Small-Scale Taxpayer VAT Guide 2026
3% vs 1% rates, exemption threshold, invoice rules, and general vs small-scale choice.
China HNTE Tax Incentives Guide (15% CIT)
High-New Technology Enterprise certification: 15% CIT rate, requirements, and benefits.
China Tax Rates Overview 2026
Complete rate table: CIT, VAT, IIT, withholding, stamp duty, filing deadlines - all in one page.
China 183-Day & 6-Year Tax Rules Explained
How foreign employees are taxed: day counting, the 6-year rule, 30-day reset, and worked examples.
Visas
China Z Visa Application Guide
Work visa requirements, documents, and timeline.
China Work Permit Requirements
Category A, B, C permits and application process.
China R Visa: High-Level Talent Guide
Fast-track visa for qualified professionals.
How to Hire Foreign Employees in China
Legal requirements and best practices for expat hiring.
China Social Insurance Guide
Mandatory contributions for employees and employers.
China Work Permit Point System Guide
Points-based scoring: salary, education, experience, language. Category A/B/C thresholds and how to maximize points.
How to Hire Chinese Employees
Complete hiring guide: labor contracts, social insurance, probation, termination, employer costs, PEO alternatives.
China Business Visa to Work Permit Conversion: Step-by-Step (2026)
The legal M-visa-to-work-permit route in 2026: exact steps, timeline, documents, and the pitfalls that trigger fines.
Self-Employed Work Permit in China: Requirements & Legal Alternatives (2026)
No, there is no freelancer permit — but Hainan pilots, founder WFOEs, and PEO routes can get you there legally.
Social Insurance Refund When Leaving China
How foreign employees can withdraw pension, medical, and housing fund balances when leaving China for good.
Z Visa to Residence Permit: 30-Day Conversion
The 30-day post-arrival conversion: work permit, medical exam, documents, bureau visit, and timeline.
Market Access
2025 Encouraged Industries Guide
Updated Catalogue of Encouraged Industries with tax incentives and benefits.
China Negative List Explained
Restricted and prohibited industries for foreign investment.
Restricted Industries for Foreign Investment
Sector-specific restrictions and alternative structures.
China Foreign Investment Law Guide
FIL implementation and impact on foreign businesses.
China Free Trade Zones Comparison
Shanghai, Hainan, Shenzhen, and more compared.
Greater Bay Area Investment Guide
Opportunities in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA.
Shanghai Lingang vs Greater Bay Area
Compare China's top investment destinations.
Hainan Free Trade Port Benefits
Zero-tariff policies and investment incentives.
Shenzhen Qianhai FTZ Guide
Qianhai FTZ: 15% CIT, HK professional recognition, cross-border RMB, registration.
Hainan FTP Tax Benefits for the Service Sector (2026)
15% CIT, 15% IIT cap, zero tariffs, and the shorter Negative List: what service companies actually gain in Hainan.
Foreign Investment in China Telecoms: The Value-Added Services Pilot (2026)
100% foreign-owned ICP/IDC/CDN in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hainan: what the telecom pilot opens and how to qualify.
Healthcare WFOE in Shanghai: Hospital License Requirements (2026)
Wholly foreign-owned hospitals come to Shanghai: two-layer licensing, timeline, costs, and the compliance stack.
Compliance
China Data Security Law Guide
DSL compliance requirements for foreign companies.
Protect Intellectual Property in China
Trademarks, patents, and trade secret protection.
Cross-Border E-commerce Regulations
CBEC rules, platforms, and compliance.
AI Technology Investment Guide
Regulations and opportunities in China's AI sector.
Manufacturing Investment Guide
Setup, incentives, and supply chain considerations.
China Data Cross-Border Transfer Guide
DSL/PIPL compliance: CAC security assessment, SCC, data localization, penalties, and FTZ pilots.
CAC Data Export Assessment Checklist for Automotive Companies (2026)
Connected-vehicle data flows: important-data classification, CAC assessment triggers, and the localization alternative.
PIPL Sensitive Data Export Thresholds: 2026 Guide
What counts as sensitive, when a CAC assessment is triggered, and the consent rules that apply at any volume.
China Data Export: SCC Filing Steps 2026
The complete SCC filing walkthrough: eligibility, CAC model contract, PIPIA, provincial filing, and rejection drivers.
2026 Guides
Work Permit Salary Thresholds 2026
Exact A/B/C class requirements by city with precise RMB amounts.
Foreign Employee Social Insurance Calculator
Precise employer and employee contribution costs by city.
Profit Repatriation Tax Calculation 2026
WHT rates, 10% reinvestment credit, and treaty benefits.
Shanghai vs Shenzhen Registration 2026
Decision matrix with exact costs, timelines, and industry fit.
WFOE vs RO vs JV Decision Tool
Interactive framework with costs, risks, and case studies.
FTZ Tax Savings ROI Calculator
Break-even analysis for 15% CIT and incentive comparison.
Government Fees Comparison 2026
Exact official costs by city with complete cost breakdown.
China Market Entry Case Studies
Real foreign company entry cases: Tesla, Uber, Airbnb and more.
Living in China
China Expat Living Guide
Housing, healthcare, schools, and daily life for foreign executives.
Alipay & WeChat Pay for Foreigners (2026)
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with an overseas card: limits, fees, and fixes for common payment failures.
Opening a Personal Bank Account in China
Documents, bank choices, and what actually happens in the branch when a foreigner opens an account.
China 24-Hour Accommodation Registration Guide
Register your stay with the police within 24 hours: online methods, deadlines, and consequences.
Renting an Apartment in China: Foreigner Guide
Contracts, deposits, landlord verification, and dispute escalation for foreign tenants in China.
Healthcare in China for Foreigners
Public insurance vs international clinics: costs, seeing a doctor step by step, and insurance strategy.
Trade
China Consumer Subsidies & Trade-In 2026
Auto, appliance, and equipment trade-in subsidies - how foreign brands benefit.
China CBEC Pilot Cities, Platforms & Logistics
37+ pilot cities, Tmall Global vs JD, bonded warehouse vs direct mail, positive list, tax rates.
Cross-Border RMB Settlement by Region
RMB settlement pilots: Tianjin, Hainan, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Guizhou, Shanghai. SAFE rules & capital account.
Need Personalized Guidance?
Use our interactive tools to check market access, estimate costs, and discover tax incentives for your specific situation.