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China’s compliance environment is shifting at a pace that requires foreign-invested enterprises to rethink how they manage regulatory risk. The theme for 2026 is clear: compliance is no longer a checklist of obligations. It is a strategic capability — one that can either support sustainable growth or expose an organisation to operational delays, penalties or reputational damage. For companies already operating in China, the next year brings sharper enforcement, more data-driv

Operating a business in China comes with tremendous opportunities—but it also comes with strict legal obligations. One of the most important responsibilities for any company is completing the  annual compliance procedure , which is mandatory for all registered entities. Missing deadlines or submitting incorrect filings can lead to fines, restrictions, or even suspension of your business license. What Is China’s Annual Compliance Procedure? China’s annual compliance process ty

As 2026 unfolds, incorporating in China remains a compelling—but complex—move for many foreign companies seeking growth in the world’s second-largest economy. Recent regulatory reforms, technological advances and evolving legal frameworks have changed the path to incorporation. Below is a guide to the “blueprint” investors should follow and the key strategic decisions they need to make when setting up a company in China in 2026. What’s Changed and What’s New by 2026 The Forei

Over the past year, both Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) have significantly updated their visa and talent‑mobility regimes. For global firms looking to expand or deepen their presence in Asia, these changes sharpen the business case for using China/Hong Kong as hubs — but also demand careful strategy. What’s new: Key Visa & Talent‑Mobility Updates China’s expanded cross‑border talent endorsement & transit policies In November 2025, C

Year-end close in China is often viewed as a technical requirement — a box-checking exercise that sits with finance and compliance teams. But as China’s regulatory landscape becomes more integrated, data-driven and enforcement-focused, year-end procedures have taken on a different strategic role. They now act as an annual stress-test of whether a company’s China operations are aligned with its global governance, risk and growth ambitions. For foreign-invested enterprises, thi

We’re almost at the end of 2025, and one thing has become clear: business in China is constantly evolving, and the pace of change doesn’t seem to be slowing. Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to speak with a wide range of clients, from startups entering the market to multinational corporations managing complex operations, and the conversations all come back to one question:  what’s actually important right now? Businesses are asking this because the environment is

For companies entering or expanding within China, securing trademark protection is one of the most important early steps. China’s “first-to-file” system means that the first party to register a trademark—rather than the first to use it—typically gains legal ownership. This creates both an opportunity and a risk: well-prepared businesses can protect their brand quickly and effectively, while those who delay may face disputes, costly buybacks, or brand restrictions. Trademark r

Finding and retaining the right people in China has always required a tailored approach. As the country’s workforce continues to evolve, the traditional hiring landscape is shifting in ways that foreign-invested companies must understand to remain competitive. In 2026, the emphasis is on digital recruitment, skills-based hiring, rising compliance expectations, and a more mobile workforce. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges for organisations looking to secur

Client Background A mid-sized international company operating in China had been managing its compliance internally for several years. While the company was growing steadily, it had not allocated sufficient time or resources to prepare for the annual compliance requirements. The Challenge As the 2025 fiscal year-end approached, the client realized that critical documents were missing, financial records were incomplete, and deadlines for audit coordination and tax reporting wer

Expanding into Hong Kong and mainland China offers enormous potential for global firms—but it also brings a maze of regulatory, tax, and HR complexities. Many businesses hesitate to commit to setting up a full legal entity before validating their market strategy or building a local team. That’s where an Employer of Record (EOR) model can transform how you scale. What Is an EOR Model? An Employer of Record acts as the legal employer for your local staff while you retain full c

As we move into 2026, global investors are once again rethinking their China strategies. After several years of global economic volatility, policy evolution, and shifting trade relations, the landscape for foreign investment in China has transformed. China remains one of the world’s most significant markets—but success now depends on precision, compliance, and strategic alignment. For many businesses, this is the year to reassess, realign, and reinforce their China presence.

For years, foreign enterprises have treated China’s year-end financial and tax processes as technical events — predictable, cyclical, and largely contained within finance and compliance teams. That era has ended. As China’s regulatory systems become more integrated, more data-driven and more assertive, year-end reviews now carry strategic weight. They reveal not only the accuracy of financial reporting, but the integrity of governance, the maturity of internal controls and th

China’s visa environment continues to evolve as the country focuses on economic revitalisation, foreign investment, and controlled cross-border movement. For individuals and companies operating in China, keeping up with the latest visa requirements is essential to avoid delays, compliance issues, or unexpected disruptions to business activities. By 2026, visa processes are increasingly digital, more regulated, and structured to encourage long-term, skilled foreign engagement

China’s anti-money laundering (AML) framework continues to expand in scope, depth and enforcement intensity. As regulators prepare for 2026, foreign-invested enterprises must be ready for a more demanding compliance environment that places greater accountability on senior management, stronger expectations on internal controls and closer monitoring of cross-border transactions. China’s AML agenda increasingly mirrors global standards while retaining its own regulatory characte

China’s data governance framework has undergone one of the most extensive transformations in the world, driven by three core laws: the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), the Data Security Law (DSL) and the Cybersecurity Law (CSL). As we approach 2026, regulatory expectations are tightening, enforcement continues to intensify, and foreign businesses operating in China must ensure their data compliance frameworks meet the updated requirements. This is not simply a lega

China’s Company Law continues to evolve in ways that reshape governance, shareholder obligations and capital requirements for foreign-invested enterprises. As the 2026 regulatory cycle approaches, the focus for businesses should be on practical readiness: how these changes will affect structures, reporting, internal controls and the day-to-day running of China operations. For multinational groups, the updates are not simply technical. They influence investment planning, trans

As China continues to evolve its economic landscape, the financial relationship between Hong Kong and Mainland China remains one of the most strategically significant in the world. For foreign investors, this cross-border link offers a powerful way to optimise tax exposure, simplify profit repatriation, and protect assets — but only if structured correctly. Heading into 2026, policy alignment, regulatory transparency, and digitalisation within both jurisdictions are creating

Entering the Chinese market requires careful planning, especially as the regulatory environment evolves. By 2026, foreign investors can expect new developments in company registration policies, regulatory transparency, and investment facilitation measures as China continues its reform agenda. This article explores anticipated trends, their implications for investors, and practical steps for businesses preparing to establish or expand their presence in China. Why 2026 Matters

China’s labour market is moving quickly. Companies are hiring faster, expanding into new regions, and focusing more sharply on compliance. At the same time, employment regulations continue to tighten, local variations remain significant, and authorities are placing stronger attention on accurate filings, social insurance coverage, and employee protection. Against this backdrop, the Employer-of-Record (EOR) model has become a practical solution for foreign firms needing a comp

China’s financial reporting environment is moving into a new phase. Regulatory upgrades, digital transformation priorities, and the rapid adoption of cloud technology are reshaping how companies collect, process, and present financial information. For foreign-invested enterprises, the shift towards cloud-based solutions is becoming less of an optional improvement and more of an operational necessity. This change is accelerated by tighter reporting timelines, growing complianc