Wondering what it takes to start a company in China? Well, you are in the right place. And it is a great time to start a business in China. However, Setting up a business in China as a foreigner is a complex task, from language barriers to documentation and bureaucracy is overwhelming. China has 5 major company forms from which to choose. Wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), Joint Venture (JV), Representative Office, Private enterprise and State-owned Enterprise (SOE). They all have different registration procedures and requirements. For your business to succeed, you must understand the different forms, how they operate and which one is the right fit for you.
想知道在中国创业需要什么？那你就来对地方了。现在在中国做生意正是个好时机。然而，对外国人来说，在中国做生意是个难事，从语言障碍到文档文件和官僚体制，都是压倒性的劣势。中国有五大公司形式可供选择。外商独资企业、合资企业、代表处、私营企业和国有企业。他们都有不同的注册程序和要求。为了让你更好的做生意，你必须了解不同的形式、它们是如何运作的以及哪一种更适合你。
We will lay out a step by step guide to the 2 main types of companies most foreign businesses set up.
我们将带你了解下大多数外国企业设立的两种主要类型的公司。
1.Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE)
外商独资企业
Also known as a foreign-invested enterprise, it is a limited liability company(LLC) with a quota of 25% or more owned by foreigners. Registration of such a company takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months. When it comes to WFOE, ownership could be capitalized by foreign investors and there are 3 types :
❖ Consultancy (service business)WFOE
❖ Manufacturing WFOE
❖ Trading WFOE
又称外商投资企业，是一家限额在25%以上的外商独资有限责任公司。注册这样一家公司都会需要3到6个月的时间。在外商独资企业中，所有权可以由外国投资者资本化，有三种类型：
❖咨询（服务业务）外商独资企业
❖制造外商独资企业
❖外商独资企业贸易
These are the steps required to set up a WFOE:
以下是建立外商独资企业所需的步骤：
● The first step is to submit your company name in English and Chinese for pre-registration. This is done by a body called SIAC.
第一步是提交中英文公司名称进行预注册。这是由一个叫做SIAC的机构完成的。
● Next, you need to get approved by the ministry of commerce (MOFCOM). For this, you have to provide a pre-registration certificate and the following documents:
下一步，你需要得到商务部的批准。为此，您必须提供预注册证书和以下文件：
● Company legal address - It has to be proportionate to the scope of your business. For example, you cannot start a manufacturing company in a one-bedroom apartment.
公司法定地址-必须与您的业务范围相称。例如，你不能在一间卧室的公寓里开一家制造公司。
● Feasibility study - Manufacturing companies must comply strictly.
可行性研究-制造公司必须严格遵守。
● Company organization chart- Management, expertise, and workforce.
公司组织结构图-管理、专长和劳动力。
● An article of association - A statement of the companies intention, profit margin, and repatriation of funds.
公司章程-一份公司意图、利润率和资金汇出的声明。
● Company registered capital - There is no limit to this amount.
公司注册资本-数额无限制。
● Once you submit all the documents above and they are approved by the government, you will be given a record certificate of foreign investment, use this to apply for a business license from the SIAC.
一旦您提交上述所有文件并获得政府批准，您将获得外商投资备案证书，并使用该证书向SIAC申请营业执照。
● The business license is your company’s most important document, make sure it is safe.
营业执照是公司最重要的文件，务必确保其安全。
● Proceed to register with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). You will need to confirm your company stamps, letterhead, and company chops.
向公安局（PSB）和国家外汇管理局（SAFE）登记。你需要确认你的公司印章，信头和公司印章。
● Next, open a company account and a foreign capital account which you will use to inject capital into your company for all kickstart expenses like a lease, furniture, and office running cost until your company can self-sustain.
下一步，开立一个公司账户和一个外资账户，用于向公司注入资本，用于支付所有启动费用，如租赁、家具和办公运行成本，直到公司能够自我维持。
● The final registration is at the Tax Bureau to set up a tax scheme for your company, register all financial information like the CFO, accountant, company invoice and tax bracket.
最终在税务局为公司制定税务方案，注册所有财务信息，如CFO、会计、公司发票和纳税等级。
● You can now proceed to hire staff and get down to business.
现在你就可以雇佣员工并开始工作了。
2. Joint Venture (JV)
合资企业
This is the second most common type of company foreigners go for. It is an equity partnership with a local for a limited period of time, 30-50 years. The reason for such a company is to exploit local business knowledge, strategic market advantage or technological know-how. JVs usually involve a transfer of technology especially products like software and patented goods.
这是外国人会选择的第二普遍的公司类型。这是一种限期30-50年的股权合作伙伴关系。这种类型的公司是为了开发当地的商业知识、战略市场优势或技术诀窍。合资企业通常涉及技术转让，特别是软件和专利产品等产品。
The registration process of a JV is similar to that of a WFOE except for these few points:
合资企业的注册程序与外商独资企业的注册程序相似，除了以下几点：
● All documents must be submitted in 2 copies
所有文件必须提交两份副本
● The foreign partner provides certified copies of the certificate of incorporation authenticated by a Chinese embassy or consulate.
外国合伙人须提供经中国大使馆或领事馆认证的公司注册证书的核证副本。
● Bank statements and reference letters from an overseas investment bank.
海外投资银行的银行对账单和推荐信。
● I.D and documentation of his legal representation in China.
在中国的法律代表的身份证明和文件。
● Passport copy, visa, and police registration.
护照复印件、签证和警察登记。
The Chinese partner provides:
中方合作伙伴提供：
● His local company registration and business license.
在当地的公司注册和营业执照。
● A CPA verified the capital report done in China and his last audit report.
在中国完成的注册会计师验证资本报告及其上一份审计报告。
● Local company’s lease, letter of association and list of board of directors and Chinese investors.
当地公司租约、公司章程和董事会及中国投资者名单。
It should be noted that foreigners are not allowed to go through this process on their own, the requirement is to hire a Chinese registered agency or consulting firm to handle registration. As complicated and time-consuming as this procedure seems, with the right counsel and guidance the whole process can be demystified and tackled in no time at all. For more information do not hesitate to ask us.
需要注意的是，外国人不得自行办理这一手续，要求是聘请在中国注册的机构或咨询公司办理注册。尽管这一程序看起来既复杂又费时，但只要有正确的建议和指导，整个过程就完全可以不费吹灰之力地解决。如需更多信息，请随时咨询我们。
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