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Vehicle · 01 Editorial guide

Entity choice

Vehicle choice is the first setup question. Do not start a licence pack until the objective and access constraints are named.

First job Match the commercial objective to a viable China vehicle before filing.

Start here

Start here

Key considerations

The first questions are about urgency, governance and preservation — before collection expands or interviews begin.

  1. What must the entity be able to do in China?
  2. Is a Chinese partner required or desired?
  3. Is a representative office even capable of that activity?

Decision map

Keep the question bounded.

  1. State the objectiveTrading, manufacturing, holding, liaison or a later deal.
  2. Shortlist vehiclesWFOE, JV, RO and when formation is the wrong file.
  3. Hand off accessRestricted sectors belong on the negative-list route.

Quick answers

Need the short version? Start with one narrow question.

These explainers answer one question. They do not replace this topic route or a deep guide.

Quick AnswerWhat Is a WFOE?A WFOE is a Mainland company wholly owned by foreign investors. Use this orientation to understand the vehicle before comparing market access, registered capital, governance and licensing requirements.Quick AnswerChina Equity Joint Venture vs WFOEA WFOE is wholly foreign-owned; an equity JV has a Chinese shareholder. Negative-list access, control and exit differ. This live URL stays the comparison. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.Quick AnswerChina Branch OfficeA China branch office is not a separate legal person. The parent company owns the liabilities. It needs its own registration and often its own USCC. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.Quick AnswerChina Representative OfficeA foreign-company representative office may not generate PRC revenue. It is a liaison registration, not a WFOE. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.Quick AnswerJoint Venture in ChinaA PRC joint venture is a Chinese company with a Chinese shareholder. Control lives in the AOA and JV contract, not in the English word ‘partner’. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.Quick AnswerUltimate Beneficial Ownership in ChinaUBO filings identify who ultimately owns/controls a company. Live /china-ubo-beneficial-owner-basics stays the basics main guide. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.

Curated resources

Open the asset that matches this job.

01
core guide

Forming a company in China

National framework for WFOE, JV and RO setup, chops and post-licence compliance.

02
insight

WFOE vs joint venture

Legal structures and strategic considerations when choosing a China vehicle.

03
checklist

Prepare a company-formation enquiry

Organise high-level setup facts before counsel or Ask a Lawyer.

Helpful to prepare

Facts that make the next conversation clearer.

These items are orientation aids, not a legal requirement list.

Intended business scope in plain languageInvestors and whether a Chinese partner is in viewWhether the need is a new company or a deal/exit

Local context

Add the city when registration practice changes.

AMR queues, bank onboarding and social-insurance setup vary after the national vehicle is chosen.

Open city and province guides

Counsel hand-off

Need formation counsel?

This hub organises setup stages. It does not decide vehicle, access or licence outcome on your facts.

Find formation counsel

Submit an initial enquiry

Need qualified counsel?

Move carefully. Move with a record.

Use the portal to identify counsel for this practice and related China-side issues.

Find formation counselSubmit an initial enquiry