Business visits
Meetings, trade fairs and negotiations are allowed under 30-day visa-free entry (for eligible countries) or an M business visa. Doing paid work in China is not.
Company types
| Structure | What it is |
|---|---|
| Wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) | A Chinese company fully owned by foreign investors. |
| Joint venture | A company owned with a Chinese partner. |
| Representative office | Liaison and market research only; cannot earn revenue directly. |
Investment rules
The Foreign Investment Law (in effect since 2020) sets the general framework. The Negative List names sectors that are closed or restricted to foreign investment; sectors not on it are generally open on the same terms as domestic investors. Local governments may offer their own incentives.
Getting advice
This site doesn't recommend paid service providers. Your country's chamber of commerce in China and your embassy's commercial section are good starting points for finding qualified lawyers and accountants.
Official sources
- Ministry of Commerce — foreign investment. (Link to be added.)
- National Development and Reform Commission — Negative List. (Link to be added.)