The latest from China & Hong Kong

Maintenir une société à Hong Kong implique bien davantage que sa seule constitution. Une fois la société créée, elle doit tenir ses registres statutaires à jour, renouveler son enregistrement commercial et déposer ses déclarations annuelles dans les délais requis. Pour les entreprises étrangères, ces obligations peuvent facilement être confondues, car elles relèvent toutes deux de la maintenance annuelle de la société. Il s’agit toutefois de deux exigences distinctes, gérées

In 2026, labour compliance in China is being shaped less by new legislation and more by how existing laws are interpreted and enforced. While the core statutory framework remains stable, evolving judicial guidance and arbitration trends are redefining how employers must manage their workforce. Authorities including the Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security are increasingly influencing employer obligations through case law, interpretati

Für Unternehmen, die in China tätig sind, gehören die Anforderungen an die jährliche Abschlussprüfung zu den grundlegenden Bestandteilen des regulatorischen Rahmens. Unabhängig davon, ob es sich um ein wholly foreign-owned enterprise, ein Joint Venture oder ein inländisches Unternehmen handelt, sind gesetzliche Prüfungs- und Berichtspflichten eng mit Steuer-Compliance, Devisenkontrolle und Corporate Governance verbunden. Im Jahr 2026 ist die Durchsetzung strukturierter geword

If you've registered or renewed a Hong Kong company recently, you may have noticed the bill was higher than last year. That's not a mistake. From 1 April 2026, the Hong Kong government increased the Business Registration Certificate (BRC) fee, and the change applies to every company operating in Hong Kong, not just new incorporations. What actually changed Every Hong Kong company needs two separate certificates to operate legally: a Certificate of Incorporation from the Compa

For Chinese Mainland enterprises, expanding into Hong Kong is a well-established route for internationalisation, capital access, and regional coordination. Hong Kong offers a distinct legal and financial system, a freely convertible currency, and a globally recognised business environment. However, entering Hong Kong requires careful planning. While the setup process is efficient, the regulatory framework, tax treatment, and operational structure must be aligned from the outs

Incorporating a company in China is a major step for any foreign investor, but the work does not end once the business licence is issued. In many cases, the period immediately after incorporation is when the company first comes into direct contact with the local tax bureau. For foreign-invested enterprises, tax bureau questions are not unusual. They may arise during tax registration, VAT setup, fapiao activation, general VAT taxpayer registration, export tax refund preparatio

Establishing a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) remains the most common route for overseas businesses entering the Chinese market. It provides full operational control, the ability to issue invoices locally, and direct access to the domestic market. However, the setup process has evolved. Updates under the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and ongoing registration reforms taking effect into 2026 have introduced stricter governance expectations, clearer capit

Die Verwaltung einer Hongkonger Gesellschaft endet nicht mit der Gründung. Sobald eine Gesellschaft errichtet wurde, müssen ihre gesetzlichen Unterlagen aktuell gehalten, die Business Registration rechtzeitig verlängert und die Annual Return fristgerecht eingereicht werden. Für ausländische Unternehmen können diese Verpflichtungen leicht verwechselt werden, da beide zur jährlichen Gesellschaftsverwaltung gehören. Es handelt sich jedoch um getrennte Anforderungen, die von unte

China’s regulatory environment has entered a phase where legal structure alone is no longer sufficient. Authorities are placing increasing emphasis on whether business arrangements reflect genuine economic substance, particularly in cross border group structures involving holding entities, service centres and intellectual property arrangements. In 2026, this shift is being driven by stronger tax enforcement, deeper data integration across government systems and a clear policy

For companies operating in China, annual audit requirements are a core part of the regulatory framework. Whether a business is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, joint venture, or domestic company, statutory audit and reporting obligations are closely linked to tax compliance, foreign exchange control, and corporate governance. In 2026, enforcement has become more structured, with greater coordination between tax authorities, auditors, and regulatory bodies. Businesses are ex

For companies operating in China, the annual Corporate Income Tax (CIT) reconciliation is not simply a routine filing. It is a comprehensive review of a company’s financial position, tax treatment, and compliance approach over the entire fiscal year. Administered by the State Taxation Administration, this process requires businesses to align their accounting records with China’s tax regulations and formally confirm their final tax liability. For foreign-invested enterprises a

Eine präzise Buchführung ist eine grundlegende Voraussetzung für Unternehmen in Hongkong. Sie bildet die Basis für die Finanzberichterstattung, unterstützt die steuerliche Compliance und schafft die notwendige Transparenz für fundierte unternehmerische Entscheidungen. In einer Jurisdiktion, in der geprüfte Jahresabschlüsse verpflichtend sind, ist Genauigkeit keine Option, sondern eine Notwendigkeit. Für Geschäftsführer und Finanzabteilungen erfordert die Verbesserung der...

China continues to refine its approach to attracting and retaining international talent, with regional governments playing an increasingly active role in shaping practical policy frameworks. In 2026, the Guangzhou–Foshan metropolitan area has introduced a new set of foreign talent measures designed to simplify work permit procedures and enable smoother cross-city mobility within the Greater Bay Area. These reforms are not isolated administrative updates. They reflect a broade

Changing a company’s financial year end in Hong Kong is a relatively straightforward process, but it requires careful planning to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and alignment with tax and reporting obligations. For business owners, the decision to change the financial year end is often driven by operational, group or strategic considerations. Understanding both the process and the implications is essential to avoid disruption. What Is a Financial Year End A fin

Understanding the fiscal year in Hong Kong is essential for businesses managing accounting, tax filings and compliance. While Hong Kong offers flexibility in how companies structure their financial year, there are still clear rules and timelines that must be followed when dealing with the Inland Revenue Department. For company directors and finance teams, aligning accounting periods with tax obligations is a key part of maintaining an organised and compliant business. What Is

Hong Kong continues to attract entrepreneurs seeking access to Asian markets, a competitive tax environment and a well-established legal system. For founders planning international expansion, relocation is not only about securing the right visa personally, but also about bringing key team members into the jurisdiction in a compliant and structured way. A successful move requires careful coordination across immigration, corporate structuring and operational planning. Establish

Hong Kong’s property market has long been defined by high demand, limited supply and upward pressure on rents. In response, the government has introduced enhanced tenant protection measures through amendments to the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance. Commonly referred to as Hong Kong’s “Tenant Protection Act”, these changes are designed to provide greater security, transparency and fairness within the residential rental market. For both landlords and tenants, the

Hong Kong is entering a new phase of international tax alignment as it moves towards implementing Pillar Two global minimum tax rules. For multinational enterprise (MNE) groups operating in or through Hong Kong, this represents a significant shift in how profits are taxed and reported. Led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pillar Two introduces a 15% global minimum effective tax rate for large multinational groups. While Hong Kong has historically

Hong Kong remains one of the most attractive jurisdictions for small and medium-sized enterprises due to its straightforward tax system and business-friendly environment. For SME owners, understanding how tax works is essential not only for compliance but also for managing cash flow and planning growth effectively. The system is intentionally simple, but there are still important rules and strategic considerations that businesses must understand. The Foundation of Hong Kong T

Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s most dynamic commercial hubs, with businesses operating across borders, currencies and digital channels. As a result, selecting the right payment gateway is no longer a simple operational decision. It is a core component of financial infrastructure, directly affecting cash flow, customer experience and compliance. This article outlines ten of the most widely used and effective payment gateways for Hong Kong businesses in 2026, based on function