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Economy & Trade

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.

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

08/06/2026

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.

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.

China's New Foreign Investment Action Plan: The Measures That Matter Most for FIEs

07/07/2026

China’s 2026 action plan for foreign investment opens financial services, revises M&A rules, and eases data export controls. We outline the most important measures for FIEs and discuss how to act on them.

Where to Invest in China in 2026 and Beyond: A Guide for Foreign Investors 

06/25/2026

A more selective FDI environment has increased the cost of misjudging location choice. For foreign investors, knowing where to invest in China is critical to achieving optimal outcomes. 

Tax & Accounting

China Monthly Tax Brief: July 2026

08/14/2026

China's July 2026 tax developments include new restructuring tax relief, offshore trust IIT rules, standardised administrative penalties, VOC environmental taxes, and battery consumption tax changes. Learn what these updates mean for foreign-invested enterprises in China.

Bookkeeping Services in Hong Kong – Which Companies Need a Provider? 

08/10/2026

Hong Kong companies must keep detailed financial records for seven years and meet strict bookkeeping standards to stay compliant and audit ready. This guide covers what records to maintain, how to keep them, and when outsourcing to a bookkeeping provider makes sense for your business.

Hong Kong’s Evolving Double Tax Agreement (DTA) Network 2026

08/05/2026

Hong Kong’s double tax agreement network has reached a new milestone, with fresh treaties and active negotiations shaping the 2026 outlook. Understanding how Hong Kong’s DTAs work is essential for investors and multinationals planning cross-border operations.

How to Select a Tax Adviser in Hong Kong: A Guide for Foreign Investors and SMEs

08/03/2026

How to choose a tax adviser in Hong Kong: credentials to verify, firm tiers, and a checklist for foreign investors and SMEs navigating the territorial tax system.

Maximizing Tax Treaty Benefits Under the Hong Kong-China DTA

07/29/2026

The Hong Kong-China DTA offers significant tax savings, but accessing treaty benefits requires careful planning, beneficial ownership, and proper documentation.

Key Tax Enforcement Trends in 2026: What Foreign Companies in China Need to Know

07/27/2026

China's tax authorities are ramping up digital, data-driven enforcement in 2026, tightening scrutiny across invoicing, export rebates, tax incentives, and platform sales. Here's what foreign companies need to know to stay compliant.

Legal & Regulatory

Post-Incorporation Checklist in China: What to Do in the First 90 Days

08/11/2026

During the first 90 days, foreign investors must complete a range of legal, financial, tax, banking, and employment-related procedures to make their entity fully operational.

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.

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.

Trademark Protection in China: Why Legal Victory Is Only Part of the Strategy

07/23/2026

Louis Vuitton's trademark victory over Chinese tea chain Molly Tea was legally sound yet triggered a massive consumer backlash. Set against nearly 1,700 enforcement actions in five years, the case shows why foreign brands in China need an integrated trademark strategy.

The Cost of Starting a Business in China: How Foreign Investors Should Budget 

07/22/2026

The cost of setting up a company in China varies depending on the city, sector, operating model, staffing plan, and licensing requirements. This guide helps foreign companies identify the major cost drivers and prepare for a tailored establishment assessment. 

Industries

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.

Investing in Shanghai's AI Investment Clusters: Where the Opportunities Lie After WAIC 2026

07/24/2026

We map Shanghai's key AI investment clusters (Xuhui, Zhangjiang, and Lingang) and explain where foreign investors should consider landing after WAIC 2026.

HR & Payroll

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.

How to Hire Over-Age Workers in China: A Practical Guide for HR and In-House Counsel (Part II)

06/26/2026

Part II of our guide moves from setup to risk management, focusing on the operational pressure points where HR teams and in-house counsel are most likely to encounter disputes or regulatory scrutiny for hiring over-age workers in China.

How to Legally Hire Over-Age Workers in China: A Practical Guide (Part I)

06/19/2026

Hiring over-age workers in China can help address labor shortages, but it comes with legal complexities. This guide explains how HR and in-house counsel can structure compliant arrangements and manage risk under the new rules.

Technology

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.

Ctrip Fined RMB 10 Million for Illegally Exporting Personal Data – Lessons for Foreign Companies 

07/21/2026

The fine marks the largest penalty for illegal export of personal information issued to date. We break down what happened, why the fine was so severe, and how foreign companies can avoid making the same mistake.

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