The latest from China & Hong Kong

China remains one of the most commercially significant markets in the world. In 2026, it continues to offer scale, depth of supply chains, advanced manufacturing capability, and access to a vast consumer base. At the same time, the operating environment has become more structured, more regulated, and more deliberate in how foreign participation is managed. For international businesses, success in China now depends less on speed of entry and more on clarity, preparation, and a

Financial compliance in Hong Kong is often described as simple, yet many businesses still face avoidable pressure each year. The issue is rarely the rules themselves. It is the coordination between accounting, payroll, tax, and reporting that breaks down over time. In 2026, expectations around accuracy, documentation, and consistency continue to rise. Businesses that treat compliance as a once-a-year task are more exposed to errors, delays, and follow-up enquiries. This artic

For international businesses, Shenzhen is often the first operational foothold in Southern China. The next stage of growth frequently involves expanding across the Greater Bay Area, a region designed to function as an integrated economic zone rather than a collection of separate cities. Scaling successfully requires thoughtful structuring across jurisdictions, employment models and compliance frameworks. This article explains how businesses can scale from Shenzhen into the Gr

Public holidays in Mainland China are never just diary dates. They affect factory output, logistics timelines, tax filing windows, banking access and senior decision-maker availability. For international businesses operating in or with China, understanding the 2026 holiday calendar early helps prevent avoidable disruption. While the final holiday arrangements are formally confirmed by the State Council closer to year-end, the core holiday structure is well established. Planni

China’s Value Added Tax framework is governed by the VAT Law and its supporting Implementation Regulations, which together define how VAT applies across sectors, transaction types and taxpayer categories. For Foreign Invested Enterprises operating in the People’s Republic of China, these regulations shape day to day compliance, cash flow management and cross border structuring decisions. While the VAT Law establishes the statutory foundation, the Implementation Regulations pr

Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) is a talent attraction programme designed to bring skilled professionals and entrepreneurs to the city without requiring a prior job offer. As Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position as an international business and financial centre, the scheme plays an important role in supporting long-term economic growth. For individuals considering relocation, and for businesses assessing talent mobility options, understanding how

Each year, companies operating in China are required to complete an annual filing of stamp tax on their business account books. While the obligation is well established, it is often overlooked because no physical stamps are involved and no payment may be due. Even so, the filing itself remains mandatory. Missing it can expose businesses to unnecessary compliance risk. This article sets out what the annual filing covers, who must submit it, and how to approach the process befo

Value Added Tax remains one of the most technical and closely scrutinised areas of China’s tax system. Day to day compliance issues often arise not from headline rules, but from practical questions around invoice timing, deemed sales, mixed transactions and cross border activities. Below we address a series of frequently asked questions that commonly arise for foreign invested enterprises and multinational groups operating in China. The answers reflect current regulatory inte

Der Jahresabschluss in China wird häufig als rein technische Pflicht verstanden – als formaler Vorgang, der primär Finanz- und Compliance-Teams betrifft. Mit der zunehmenden Integration der chinesischen Regulierung, der stärkeren Datennutzung und dem Fokus auf Durchsetzung hat sich die Bedeutung des Jahresabschlusses jedoch grundlegend verändert. Er fungiert heute als jährlicher Belastungstest dafür, ob die China-Aktivitäten eines Unternehmens mit seinen globalen Governance-,

Managing tax obligations in Mainland China requires accuracy, discipline, and forward planning. Filing and payment deadlines are frequent, enforcement is active, and late or inaccurate submissions can trigger penalties, interest, or unwanted attention from the tax authorities. This guide sets out the core China tax filing and payment deadlines for 2026, explains how the system operates in practice, and highlights common risk points for foreign invested and domestic companies

Hong Kong is seeing a clear increase in interest from overseas businesses looking to establish a presence in Asia. What has changed in 2026 is not the destination, but the approach. Rather than committing immediately to full incorporation, many businesses are entering Hong Kong in stages. They hire early, test demand, and build local capability before locking in long-term structure. This approach can be effective, but only if early operational decisions are handled properly.

For foreign non-governmental organisations, operating in China brings both opportunity and responsibility. Annual compliance is not just a regulatory formality; it is the mechanism through which authorities assess whether an organisation can continue its activities, maintain funding channels, and preserve trust with local partners. This guide focuses on what foreign NGOs need to get right each year, why these requirements matter in practice, and how to approach them in a way

As companies enter 2026, the tax and audit environment in China continues to move in a clear direction: greater transparency, deeper data integration, and closer alignment between commercial activity and reported tax outcomes. For foreign-invested enterprises, this shift does not necessarily mean higher tax burdens, but it does mean higher expectations. Authorities are paying closer attention to consistency, documentation quality, and behavioural patterns over time. This arti

China remains a priority market for international businesses seeking scale, advanced manufacturing capability, and access to a large domestic customer base. Achieving sustainable success depends on three closely connected factors: protecting intellectual property, selecting the right investment structure, and understanding the incentives available for innovation and growth. Considered together, these elements shape both commercial opportunity and long term risk. Intellectual

For international companies entering or expanding in China, the structure chosen at the outset shapes tax exposure, compliance burden, speed to market, and long-term flexibility. The three most common entry routes are: Establishing operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port Using bonded zones or bonded logistics parks Entering the mainland market directly Each serves a different commercial purpose. This comparison is designed to help decision-makers understand where each model

For employers operating in China, performance appraisals are often seen as a practical way to manage pay increases, bonuses, and underperformance. In practice, however, linking performance outcomes to pay is one of the most legally sensitive areas of employment management. Handled well, it can support accountability and fairness. Handled poorly, it can expose an employer to disputes, back pay claims, or findings of unlawful wage reduction. This article explains how performanc

Für Unternehmen mit Sitz in Hongkong ist Compliance keine einmal jährlich zu erfüllende Formalität. Sie stellt einen fortlaufenden Rahmen dar, der Bankbeziehungen, steuerliche Sicherheit, den Schutz der Geschäftsleitung sowie die langfristige wirtschaftliche Glaubwürdigkeit trägt. Vor dem Hintergrund steigender regulatorischer Anforderungen bietet das Jahr 2026 einen geeigneten Zeitpunkt für Direktoren und Gesellschafter, zu prüfen, ob ihre Hongkonger Gesellschaften weiterhin

Accurate accounting is a fundamental requirement for businesses operating in Hong Kong. It underpins financial reporting, supports tax compliance and provides the clarity needed for informed decision-making. In a jurisdiction where audited financial statements are mandatory, maintaining accuracy is not optional. It is essential. For company directors and finance teams, improving accounting accuracy requires a combination of structured processes, reliable systems and consisten

Das Jahr 2025 neigt sich dem Ende zu, und eines ist deutlich geworden: Geschäftstätigkeit in China verändert sich fortlaufend. Das Tempo dieser Veränderungen scheint nicht nachzulassen. In den vergangenen Monaten haben Gespräche mit unterschiedlichsten Mandanten, von Start-ups beim Markteintritt bis hin zu multinationalen Konzernen mit komplexen operativen Strukturen, immer wieder zu derselben Frage geführt: Was ist aktuell wirklich wesentlich? Unternehmen stellen diese Frage

Découvrir que votre marque a déjà été enregistrée en Chine peut être déstabilisant, en particulier lorsqu’elle constitue un élément central de votre identité commerciale. Cette situation est fréquente pour les entreprises étrangères qui abordent le marché chinois plus tard que prévu ou sans avoir mis en place une stratégie de propriété intellectuelle dès le départ. La Chine applique un principe de « premier déposant ». Les droits sont en règle générale accordés à la partie qu