On 20 May 2020, Horizons, in partnership with Digital Crew, will host a webinar on Launching Your Business in China. The one-hour event will begin at 9am Rome, 3pm Shanghai, 5pm Sydney (+07:00 GMT[DP1] ). Featured will be Horizons regional partner Lucia Netti, who will be sharing her expertise on establishing the right legal framework for businesses to thrive in China today. For complete information about the webinar and registration, please follow this link.
1. Trademark protection
A major concern for foreign investors entering the China market is trademark protection. Last year, the Trademark Law was revised to provide further protection against trademark squatters. Since China adopts the “first-to-file” principle rather than the first-to-use, Horizons has assisted many clients in the application to invalidate the registration of such false trademarks.
2. Ease of establishing your business
In previous years, establishing a foreign business in China required approval from several governmental authority bodies, not to mention a long processing time. With the implementation of the new Foreign Investment Law (FIL), foreign investment outside of the negative list (prohibited list of industries for foreign investment) may establish a company via an online process and paperless record-filling during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
3. 100% ownership of a foreign entity
Foreign investors can serve as the sole shareholder or shareholders in their company. In most industries, there are no limitations in the percentage of ownership and do not require a Chinese partner. What’s more, the 2019 Negative List lifted the ownership of certain financial institutions from 51% to 100%. With these changes, China paves the way to a better business environment for foreign investors.
4. Government incentives
The Foreign Investment Law authorises and encourages local government to issue pro-business policies to attract and promote foreign investment. In practice, encouraged sectors such as high technology, new materials, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, creative industries, and so forth, may receive government incentives such as subsidies, financial aid and employee services. An optimal business environment such as cluster areas for specific industries are also being developed or currently established, enabling businesses to thrive within a strong ecosystem.
In addition to this, there will be many China investment insights shared during the webinar. Again, you can register by following this link.
If you have questions or concerns related to opening a business in China or other China foreign investment matters, please contact Horizons at +86 21 5356 3400 or talktous@horizons-advisory.com.
Horizons Corporate Advisory helps clients solve complex problems, thrive and be inherently responsible in their business activities worldwide. The countries and regions we operate in include Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Macau SAR, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland (French and German-speaking cantons), Turkey, the United Kingdom (England and Wales), the United States of America and Zambia.