Seminar: Changing or Expanding Your China Business

Manuela Reintgen of ECOVIS Beijing, in co-operation with the German Centre Beijing, held a seminar explaining how to change a company’s legal structure and expand its operations in China.

China’s economic and political landscapes are evolving at a quicker rate than any other country’s. In order to prosper in this fast-paced environment it is crucial to be responsive and adaptable. As anyone operating a company in China knows, constant change is inevitable and should be embraced. However, China’s bureaucratic system remains all-present and most changes in your company’s structure and activities have to be registered with the authorities, usually resulting in complex, time-consuming procedures.

In a seminar at the German Centre Beijing, Manuela Reintgen, manager at ECOVIS Beijing, outlined the different processes of amending the legal structure and expanding the business activities of your company in China. She highlighted the difficulties and pitfalls of procedures like:

• changing the management structure,
• changing the office address,
• changing the company name,
• expanding the business scope,
• increasing the registered capital and
• setting up a branch office.

She emphasized the importance of keeping your company’s registered information up date and its tax filings in perfect order, to avoid future problems with the authorities.

Since most of these amendments require applications and re-registrations at many different authorities, the processes can drag on over several months. If you are considering to undertake more than one of these changes in the near future you should combine them to avoid repetitions and maximise efficiency.

Generally, any change or expansion of your business needs to be carefully planned as for example lapses in your tax filings could result in delays lasting months and even painful fines. We can help you minimize the strain on your business and make these changes work in your advantage.

Related materials:

Moving Your Offices In China: A 5 Step Guide

Compliance Special Edition 2015

Get more tips on how to change or expand your China business – call our office now at +86 10 6561 6609 – 811

With contributions by Lukas von Below (ECOVIS Beijing)