China Inbound Legal Guides · Company Formation
China legal decision desk
Company Formation
China company setup is a lifecycle: choose a viable vehicle, clear access, stand up licence and chops, then keep or unwind the entity. This hub routes the stage. It does not pick your structure.
gates mapped before the next move
COMPANY FORMATION
ENTITY CHOICE · ACCESS & NEGATIVE LIST · LICENCE & CHOPS · GOVERNANCE & LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE · POST-LICENCE SETUP
Use a clock only when a name reservation, licence step or access filing actually changes the next action.
Decision desk / 01
Where is the
pressure point?
Matter statusCLASSIFY FIRSTConfirm the current route
Entity choice
Match the commercial objective to a viable China vehicle before filing.
Open routeAccess & negative list
Test access constraints before promising a structure or a filing date.
Open routeLicence & chops
Map the licence and chop sequence before the intended start of operations.
Open routeGovernance & legal representative
Map who can decide, sign and hold the chops before relying on a title or an internal approval alone.
Open routePost-licence setup
List the post-licence steps that still block hiring, invoicing or paying.
Open routeSituation-based routes
Start where
the matter is.
8 bounded routes turn a broad concern into the next useful question.
Entity choice
WFOE, joint venture, representative office and when a different vehicle is the real question.
Open route 02AccessAccess & negative list
Foreign-investment access, restricted sectors and when an FDI or security review sits in front of incorporation.
Open route 03LicenceLicence & chops
Name, business licence, chops and the filings that make the company able to act.
Open route 04GovernanceGovernance & legal representative
Articles, shareholders, directors, managers and the legal representative roles that allocate authority and control after incorporation.
Open route 05OperatePost-licence setup
Bank, tax, social insurance and operating registrations after the licence is issued.
Open route 06ChangeChange, restructure & exit
Amendments, equity change, merger and orderly exit of a China vehicle.
Open route 07Partnership enterprisesPartnership enterprises
Formation and governance of general/limited partnerships, including partner rights and liability.
Open route 08Professional firms & regulated entity setupProfessional firms & regulated entity setup
Entity choice and licensing overlays for professional firms and regulated service providers.
Open routeDecision shortcuts
Already know
the issue?
Jump to the narrow question changing your next move.
Quick answers
Orient first.
Then go deeper.
Short explainers for recurring questions beneath this practice route.
Editorial & legal review
Research with
professional boundaries.
Route logic and substantive content require review when current rules change.
No lawyer is presented as the legal reviewer until an appropriately qualified specialist is assigned.
This hub routes research; it does not provide legal advice or promise regulatory clearance.
Editorial policyCounsel hand-off
Need formation counsel?
This hub organises setup stages. It does not decide vehicle, access or licence outcome on your facts.