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Economy & Trade

Switzerland-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Upgrade: What It Means for Business

09/01/2026

The upgraded free trade agreement between Switzerland and China could significantly lower market-entry costs and expand opportunities for Swiss companies. With 99.8 percent of Swiss exports set to become duty-free, alongside broader investment access, sole ownership rights in key service sectors, and easier rules for digital trade and origin, businesses should start assessing where the agreement could reduce costs or support expansion.

US-China Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era: A Timeline

08/24/2026

On March 23, 2026, the US Federal Communications Commission updated its Covered List to include foreign-made consumer routers, preventing new models from receiving FCC equipment authorization and thereby banning them from being imported or sold in the US.

FDI into China for H1 2026: Behind the Numbers

08/19/2026

China FDI 2026 data show a 5% H1 decline alongside a 5.3% rise in newly registered foreign enterprises, signalling cautious but sustained investor engagement even as capital moves toward higher-value sectors.

Managing Labour Risks in China: Workforce Structuring Strategies for 2026 and Beyond

08/07/2026

Labour risk management in China is not just about compliance checklists but a matter of workforce design. This article walks foreign investors through how labour risk builds up across the employee lifecycle, compares direct hiring, outsourcing, and Employer of Record (EOR) models, and outlines how to build a compliance framework that holds up under scrutiny.

EU-China Relations After the 2024 European Elections: A Timeline

07/28/2026

Timeline tracking key developments affecting EU-China relations, including trade and business engagement, under the new European Parliament.

China’s GDP Expands 4.7% in H1 2026: How to Read It

07/16/2026

China's economy grew 4.7% in H1 2026. Explore key trends in GDP, manufacturing, consumption, trade, and opportunities for foreign investors.

Tax & Accounting

China Manufacturing Tracker 2026

09/07/2026

Our tracker provides continuous updates on key economic and growth indicators in China’s manufacturing industry. The data for June and July 2026 has now been updated.

Best Accountants in Hong Kong: A Guide for Foreign Investors

09/04/2026

What makes an accountant the right choice for a foreign-invested company in Hong Kong? This guide explains what accountants in Hong Kong do, compares the main types of firms, from the Big Four to regional advisory practices.

China's August 2026 Tax Brief: Foreign Dividend Relief Ends and VAT Compliance Tightens

09/03/2026

This brief covers the six Auguste 2026 developments most relevant to FIEs operating in China and Hong Kong, each broken down into what has changed and why it matters, followed by a condensed round-up of other notable developments from the month.

When Hong Kong Holding Companies May Be Denied China’s 5% Dividend Tax Preference

08/28/2026

Recent tax enforcement has highlighted the risks facing Hong Kong holding companies claiming China's preferential 5% dividend withholding tax rate. We examine the beneficial ownership test, principal purpose test, post-filing reviews, and practical steps businesses can take to assess historical exposure and protect future treaty claims.

How to Avoid Triggering a Fixed Place PE in China

08/25/2026

Triggering permanent establishment status in China can expose a foreign company's profits to unexpected tax liabilities. Businesses should therefore understand which activities cross the line – and how to avoid them.

The Right Corporate Secretarial Provider in Hong Kong Does More Than Keep You Compliant 

08/18/2026

The right corporate secretarial provider in Hong Kong helps strengthen governance, protect directors from liability, and keep your company ready for fundraising and due diligence at every stage.

Legal & Regulatory

China Liquidation Process Explained: Key Steps to Close a Company Successfully

09/07/2026

The liquidation process in China is the stage where a company settles its debts, taxes, and obligations before it can be formally deregistered, and getting it wrong can leave directors and shareholders personally liable.

China Issues New Organic Product Catalogue – Should You Certify Your Products?

09/02/2026

China's updated organic product catalogue marks another step in standardising its certification system. As rules tighten and demand for organic products rises, companies should assess whether certification is worth pursuing for their products.

Why Foreign Brands Should Register Trademarks in China Before Market Entry

08/31/2026

Register trademarks in China before market entry to prevent bad-faith filings, protect brand ownership, secure enforcement rights, and avoid costly launch delays.

China's 2026-2030 Climate Compliance Roadmap: Key Trends and Business Impacts 

08/27/2026

China's new Climate Change Five-Year Plan is reshaping the country's environmental compliance landscape. We break down what businesses need to know about carbon market expansion, carbon footprint certification, and non-CO2 emissions rules over the next five years.

Trade Secret Protection in China: What the New SAMR Rules Mean for Foreign Companies

08/26/2026

SAMR's Provisions on the Protection of Trade Secrets raise fines to RMB 5 million and shift the burden of proof in favour of rights holders, but only for companies that can demonstrate they have taken adequate measures to protect their confidential information. We explain the changes, the audit to run now, and how administrative, civil, and criminal routes compare.

List of Major Banks in China for Foreign-Invested Businesses: How to Choose

08/24/2026

Which are the major banks in China, what do Chinese and international banks each offer foreign-invested businesses, and how should a company choose between them? This guide profiles the leading banking options and sets out the practical criteria that matter for daily operations, tax payments, and cross-border transactions.

Industries

China Manufacturing Tracker 2026

09/07/2026

Our tracker provides continuous updates on key economic and growth indicators in China’s manufacturing industry. The data for June and July 2026 has now been updated.

How Can Foreign F&B Brands Enter China? Food Franchising Models and Market Entry Considerations

08/12/2026

Foreign food and beverage chains are expanding in China through franchising and local capital. We compare the entry models open to foreign F&B brands and the compliance steps that determine success.

China's Food Franchising Market in 2026: US Chains Return as the Industry Consolidates

08/12/2026

US food chain brands are entering or re-entering China at the fastest pace in years, relying on franchising and local capital partners to expand in a RMB 5.8 trillion (US$833.8 billion) catering market that is growing more slowly but consolidating rapidly around chains. We examine the data behind the trend.

Where to Invest in China: Priority Industries by Province

07/31/2026

China's provincial 15th Five-Year Plans reveal where the country's industrial priorities are heading over the next five year, revealing new opportunities for foreign investors.

Where to Invest in China in the Next Five Years – Analysing Four Priority High-Tech Sectors

07/31/2026

China’s provincial 15th Five-Year Plans highlight four investment opportunities: green hydrogen, embodied AI, semiconductors, and biomanufacturing. We examine the leading regions and key considerations for foreign investors.

China’s Manufacturing Advantage Beyond Subsidies

07/30/2026

As China curbs local subsidy competition, its manufacturing advantage is increasingly rooted in industrial ecosystems, supply chain integration, operational speed, and infrastructure quality rather than direct incentives.

HR & Payroll

China Minimum Wage Standards 2026

09/07/2026

This article offers a guide to minimum wages in the Chinese Mainland and discuss how labor costs are affected by changes to the minimum wage levels. The data is current as of June 2026.

Hiring Workforce Before Entering China in 2026: Direct Hiring vs. Outsourcing vs. Labour Dispatch

08/21/2026

China’s 2025–2026 labour reforms have raised the compliance stakes for foreign investors. This article compares direct hiring, labour dispatch, and service outsourcing, and explains how companies can structure their workforce while managing social insurance, non-compete, and employer liability risks.

Managing Labour Risks in China: Workforce Structuring Strategies for 2026 and Beyond

08/07/2026

Labour risk management in China is not just about compliance checklists but a matter of workforce design. This article walks foreign investors through how labour risk builds up across the employee lifecycle, compares direct hiring, outsourcing, and Employer of Record (EOR) models, and outlines how to build a compliance framework that holds up under scrutiny.

EU Forced Labour Regulation: What FIEs in China Need to Know

07/20/2026

The EU's new forced labour regulation guidelines widen scrutiny of supply chains. Learn what FIEs in China should do to prepare.

Non-Compete Agreements in China: A Guide for Foreign Employers

07/10/2026

Non-compete agreements in China only bind certain employees and must meet strict tests on eligibility, compensation, and proportionality. This guide explains what foreign employers must do to keep their clauses enforceable, and what to check in their contracts. 

AI-Powered HR in China: Who's Liable When Algorithms Decide?

07/06/2026

AI is changing how HR functions operate in China, but it does not change who is accountable. Technology may automate processes, but legal responsibility remains firmly with the employer.

Technology

China Proposes New PI Registration and Oversight Rules for Large Companies

08/20/2026

China's cybersecurity regulator has proposed draft rules requiring large-scale personal information processors to register with the CAC, meet new data centre localisation standards, and establish an independent oversight committee. Here's what the changes could mean for affected companies.

Simplified Personal Information Protection Compliance for Small Companies in China (Part 2)

08/06/2026

China's new provisions ease compliance for small-scale personal information processors around data exports, audits, impact assessments, and penalties. This second part of a two-part series breaks down what's changed and how small businesses should prepare.

Simplified Personal Information Protection Compliance for Small Companies in China (Part 1)

08/06/2026

China has simplified how small-scale personal information processors must formulate and disclose their PI processing rules, easing the notification burden for smaller businesses. This first part of a two-part series looks at who qualifies and what the simplified requirements involve.

Why ERP Deployments in China Go Wrong – And How to Avoid It 

08/04/2026

ERP rollouts in China often fail when technical teams overlook data migration and compliance risks, leading to tax penalties and reporting delays. Here's what goes wrong, and how to fix it.

China Releases Draft Standard on AI Application Security Classification and Grading

07/28/2026

China's draft standard for classifying and grading AI application security risks was just released. Learn how companies should prepare.

EU-China Relations After the 2024 European Elections: A Timeline

07/28/2026

Timeline tracking key developments affecting EU-China relations, including trade and business engagement, under the new European Parliament.

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