The latest from China & Hong Kong

Chinese New Year remains the most significant holiday period in Mainland China, with material impact on workforce availability, supply chains and regulatory processing timelines. For 2026, businesses operating in or trading with China should begin preparation well in advance to mitigate disruption and protect operational continuity. For foreign-invested enterprises, regional headquarters and trading companies, proactive planning is essential to manage workforce absence, produ

For foreign-invested enterprises and domestic companies operating in China, geographic expansion often raises a fundamental question: should a new legal entity be established in each city, or is a branch office the more efficient structure? Once a Limited Liability Company has been incorporated in China, establishing branch offices is typically the most straightforward and cost-effective method of expanding operations across different cities. Compared to setting up a new comp

Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position as a leading regional headquarters hub in Asia. The latest 2025 data confirms sustained growth in the number of overseas companies establishing a presence in the city, alongside a steady increase in regional headquarters operations. For multinational enterprises evaluating their Asia Pacific strategy, Hong Kong remains a commercially strategic base for coordination, capital access and cross-border expansion. Rising Number of Over

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem has reached a new milestone. In 2025, the number of startups climbed to a record 5,221 companies, employing close to 20,000 people. This growth reflects not only expansion in headline sectors such as financial technology, but also the steady diversification of innovation across industries. For investors, founders and multinational businesses evaluating entry into Asia, Hong Kong continues to present a compelling combination of market access, capi

China’s economy recorded 5.0% GDP growth in 2025, meeting official policy targets despite continued structural pressures and a complex global backdrop. The result reflects a combination of fiscal support, industrial policy direction and targeted stabilisation measures, rather than broad-based cyclical acceleration. For international investors and foreign-invested enterprises operating in China, the headline growth figure is less important than understanding the composition an

The use of a common seal has traditionally been an important part of corporate governance in many jurisdictions. In Hong Kong, however, the legal and practical role of the common seal has evolved significantly. For modern businesses, particularly SMEs and international groups, understanding whether a common seal is still required is an important aspect of company administration. What Is a Common Seal A common seal is a physical stamp used by a company to formally execute docu

For Hong Kong companies, donations are often made as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives or community engagement. However, from an accounting and compliance perspective, how these donations are recorded is important. Incorrect treatment can lead to misstatements in financial records and potential issues during tax filing. This article outlines how donations should be recorded in bookkeeping for Hong Kong entities, including key considerations under local accou

L’espansione dei family office a Hong Kong sta generando un impatto economico e sociale sempre più significativo all’interno dell’ecosistema finanziario della città. Oltre alla gestione dei portafogli di investimento, i family office contribuiscono alla creazione di occupazione, alla domanda di servizi professionali e alle attività filantropiche, diventando una componente sempre più influente dell’economia di Hong Kong. Un contributo significativo all’economia locale I family

Vor dem Hintergrund zunehmender globaler Handelsvolatilität stellt der jüngste Haushalt Hongkongs eine Reihe von Maßnahmen vor, die Unternehmen und Privatpersonen unterstützen und gleichzeitig die langfristige Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Stadt stärken sollen. Die politische Ausrichtung konzentriert sich darauf, die Wirtschaft kurzfristig zu stabilisieren und gleichzeitig Investitionen in Infrastruktur, Technologie und Innovation zu beschleunigen, um zukünftiges Wachstum zu förde

Hong Kong is often seen as a highly attractive jurisdiction for ecommerce businesses due to its simple and competitive tax system. However, understanding exactly what taxes apply to ecommerce profits requires a clear grasp of how Hong Kong determines tax liability, particularly in a cross-border digital environment. For ecommerce companies selling products or services online, the key question is not where customers are located, but where the profit-generating activities take

Share capital is a fundamental concept in Hong Kong company formation and governance. It defines the ownership structure of a company, determines shareholder rights and plays a role in how businesses manage funding, control and profit distribution. For companies establishing or operating in Hong Kong, understanding how share capital works is essential for both legal compliance and effective corporate structuring. What Is Share Capital In simple terms, share capital represents

Accounting standards play a central role in how businesses in Hong Kong record, report and present their financial information. For company directors and business owners, understanding these standards is essential for maintaining compliance, supporting audits and ensuring that financial data accurately reflects the company’s position. While Hong Kong’s system is aligned with international frameworks, there are specific requirements that businesses must follow. The Framework:

As the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department deadline approaches, a recurring pattern has emerged across the market. Many companies are delaying their tax filings until the final weeks before submission. While this may appear manageable in the short term, last-minute preparation significantly increases compliance risk. For companies operating in Hong Kong, including holding structures, startups and non-operating entities, timely tax planning is no longer optional. It is a core

Il contesto normativo cinese continua a evolversi rapidamente. Per i gruppi internazionali che operano nella Repubblica Popolare Cinese o che intrattengono relazioni commerciali con il Paese, la conformità non riguarda più soltanto dichiarazioni fiscali e rendicontazione annuale. Le autorità stanno ponendo crescente attenzione sulla sostanza economica, sulla governance dei dati, sulla responsabilità ESG e sulla trasparenza delle operazioni transfrontaliere. A partire dal 2026

Shenzhen’s rapid commercial pace brings opportunity alongside close regulatory attention. For foreign invested enterprises, day to day operations must align with tax rules, VAT administration and local compliance standards that are actively enforced. Businesses that treat compliance as a background task often face disruption during audits, banking reviews or corporate changes. This article explains how to manage tax, VAT and ongoing compliance when operating in Shenzhen, with

Hong Kong è ampiamente riconosciuta come uno dei principali centri finanziari internazionali dell’Asia. Uno dei pilastri fondamentali che sostiene questa posizione è un sistema di rendicontazione finanziaria trasparente e allineato agli standard internazionali. Per le aziende che operano o intendono espandersi a Hong Kong, comprendere gli standard contabili locali è essenziale per garantire conformità normativa, fiducia degli investitori ed efficace governance aziendale. Ques

Dieser Blog richtet sich an deutschsprachige Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer sowie Geschäftsleute. Die Expansion nach Hongkong und ins chinesische Festland bietet internationalen Unternehmen erhebliche Wachstumschancen. Gleichzeitig entstehen komplexe Anforderungen im Bereich Regulierung, Steuern und Personalwesen. Viele Unternehmen zögern, eine eigene Gesellschaft zu gründen, bevor sie ihre Marktstrategie validiert oder ein lokales Team aufgebaut haben. Hier bietet das...

Ein Unternehmen in China zu betreiben, bietet erhebliche geschäftliche Chancen. Gleichzeitig ist es mit klaren rechtlichen Verpflichtungen verbunden. Eine der zentralen Pflichten für jedes registrierte Unternehmen ist die jährliche Compliance-Abwicklung. Diese ist für alle registrierten Gesellschaften verpflichtend und sollte nicht als reine Formalität betrachtet werden. Wer Fristen versäumt oder fehlerhafte Unterlagen einreicht, riskiert Geldbussen, Einschränkungen der Gesch

Shenzhen has developed one of the most active employment markets in Mainland China, driven by technology, manufacturing, professional services and international trade. For foreign invested enterprises, managing people in Shenzhen requires a clear understanding of local labour rules, payroll mechanics and mandatory social insurance. Missteps in these areas often lead to disputes, penalties or operational disruption. This article outlines the practical human resources and payro

The 2026 Individual Income Tax subsidy programme under the Greater Bay Area framework has formally commenced in Shenzhen. The initiative remains one of the most commercially relevant talent incentives available to foreign professionals and high-end domestic talent working in southern China. For employers and internationally mobile executives, understanding the operational mechanics of the subsidy is essential. While often referenced as a headline policy, the practical applica