Knowledge Centre · Inbound
Doing Business in China — Knowledge Centre
Practical legal orientation for US, European, Japanese, Singaporean companies, PE/VC funds, and multinationals entering or expanding in China. Start with the business question—entity, people, contracts, IP, tax—then open the national guide, city hub, and counsel path.
- Entity WFOE · JV · RO
- People hire · terminate · visas
- Protect IP · trade · tax basics
Start here — flagship roadmaps
Business-first deep guides for market entry and first hire
Manufacturing hub
Plant setup, NNN, labour, trade, exit for industrial ops.
Open →IndustriesAll industry centres
Healthcare, FinTech, EV, e-com, semis, robotics.
Open → New · CompareShanghai vs Shenzhen vs Beijing
Where to put your China hub—industry fit, counsel, FTZ/GBA, checklist.
Compare → New · TaxVAT for Foreign Businesses
Fapiao, rates orientation, import/export touchpoints, month-one checklist.
Open guide →New · ExitWFOE Liquidation Roadmap
Close cleanly: employees, tax clearance, deregistration checklist.
Open roadmap → New · UltimateChoosing a China Entity
WFOE, RO, JV, or VIE—decision tree, comparison table, setup roadmap, checklist.
Open guide → New · CompareRO vs WFOE
Liaison-only RO or full operating company—side-by-side decision guide.
Compare → New · RoadmapHiring Your First Employee
Who employs, checklist, timeline, social costs, termination myths, employment lawyers.
Open roadmap → New · GuideNNN for Manufacturing
Non-use, non-disclosure, non-circumvention for China factories—clauses, enforcement, counsel.
Open guide →Entity choice & company formation
WFOE, joint venture, representative office—and how formation actually works
Company Formation Law Guide
Foreign investment setup, registration flow, and market-entry structure options.
Open guide → WikiWhat Is a WFOE?
Wholly foreign-owned enterprise—when it fits and what to plan for.
Read definition → ComparisonEquity JV vs WFOE
Side-by-side structure choice for controlled vs partnered entry.
Compare → LawyersCompany formation counsel
Directory: company registration, FDI, M&A, PE/VC-related mandates.
Browse lawyers →Flagship: Choosing a China Entity (WFOE / RO / JV / VIE) · RO vs WFOE · Also: Partnership & JV structures.
Employment, HR & foreign staff
Hiring, contracts, termination, social insurance, work permits—business questions first
Employment & Labor Law
Contracts, termination risk, social insurance, and workplace compliance nationwide.
Open guide → WikiEmployment contracts & probation
Contract types and probation rules executives actually ask about.
Read → National guideVisa & Immigration
Work and residence pathways for foreign nationals supporting China operations.
Open guide → City × practiceShanghai employment lawyers
Local market notes plus path to employment counsel in Shanghai.
Open hub →City employment hubs: Beijing · Shenzhen · Guangzhou · Directory: Employment lawyers. Flagship: Hiring your first employee in China — roadmap.
Commercial contracts & trade
Distribution, manufacturing, supply chain, and customs for operators on the ground
Business & Contract Law
Drafting, performance, and commercial risk allocation under Chinese law.
Open guide → National guideTrade & Customs Law
Import/export compliance, customs, and trade remedy orientation.
Open guide → Deep diveImport/export for foreign businesses
Practical compliance framing for foreign trading and operating companies.
Read → LawyersBusiness & contract counsel
Supply chain, JV, and commercial contract directory listings.
Browse →Flagship: NNN agreements for China manufacturing. Coming later: distribution/agency checklists.
Intellectual property
Trademarks, trade secrets, patents—register early, enforce deliberately
Trademark registration (first-to-file)
Why timing and class strategy matter for foreign brands.
Read → WikiTrade secrets framework
Legal hooks for protecting know-how with partners and staff.
Read → GuideTrademark practical guide
Foreign-brand oriented trademark registration and protection notes.
Open → LawyersIP counsel
Patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets directory.
Browse →Tax orientation
Starting points—not a substitute for tax advice
Flagship: VAT practical guide · Company liquidation / exit. Later: PE and withholding clusters.
City legal markets
Where you operate changes institutions, talent, and counsel density—start with Shanghai vs Shenzhen vs Beijing
Shanghai
Finance, trade, regional HQ—full city legal guide.
Open → Tier ABeijing
Policy, tech, national institutions—city guide for foreign clients.
Open → Tier AShenzhen
Tech, manufacturing, Greater Bay Area orientation.
Open → Tier AGuangzhou
Trade and manufacturing hub for South China operations.
Open →More: Hangzhou · Chengdu · Nanjing · Suzhou · Wuhan · Hong Kong · All city guides · City × practice
Get counsel
This centre orients; licensed lawyers advise on your facts. Use the directory by practice or city, or request an introduction.
General information only—not legal advice. Does not create a solicitor–client relationship. Last reviewed: August 2026 · China Legal Portal Editorial