Start your journey in China with clarity and confidence
Get practical support from formation to ongoing compliance.
Contact usWhy Hawksford
China market entry can be complex, but the right partner makes it easier. We help you set up, manage and grow your operations in China with practical corporate, accounting, tax and governance support.
professionals across China
supporting local compliance and administration
foreign enterprises supported
with China market entry and ongoing operations
years of experience
helping international businesses navigate China's corporate environment
China entity formation streamlined in four steps
Whether you’re a founder, an SME, or a global business entering China, you likely share the same goals: move fast, reduce uncertainty, and build for the long term. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, we shape the right structure around your objectives.
We take the time to understand your objectives and recommend the ideal business structures.
Our experts handle all paperwork, filings, and regulatory approvals.
You’ll receive every document you need to start operating smoothly and with confidence.
Our commitment continues after set up – we provide ongoing support for your business success.
How we can support you
Whether you are entering China for the first time or expanding an existing operation, Hawksford helps you build and maintain a compliant business foundation. Our China team pairs regulatory know-how with support tailored to your needs, guiding you through setup and ongoing administration with clarity and efficiency. From choosing the right business structure and completing registration procedures to managing statutory records, tax filings and annual compliance, we help reduce complexity so you can focus on growth in China.
Entity formation and administration
Set up your China entity with the right structure, documentation and registration support from the start.
- Entity incorporation (wholly foreign owned enterprises, representative offices, branches, join ventures, etc.)
- Registered office
- Licence applications
- Initial appointments and meetings
Accounting services and tax solutions
Keep your financial reporting, bookkeeping, tax filings and ongoing compliance obligations on track.
- Bookkeeping and preparation of year-end financial statements
- Statutory requirements and management reporting
- Corporae tax return preparation and filing
- Auditor liaison
- Temporary CFO services
Company secretarial
Maintain good corporate governance with support for statutory records, company changes, fililngs and ongoing administration.
- Provision of company secretary
- Processing officer appointments and resignations
- Preparation and filing of annual returns
- Board meetings organisation and support
Bespoke solutions for operating in China
Access practical support for the ongoing operational needs of your China entity. Our local team helps you stay organised, compliant and ready to grow.
Open and manage corporate bank accounts in China with confidence. We support bank liaison, account opening, daily account administration, payment coordination and cash management, helping your China entity operate smoothly and stay in control of local fund flows.
Stay compliant in China’s evolving regulatory environment. From annual filings and company chop governance to statutory records, licence updates and regulatory reporting, we help mitigate compliance risk and keep your China operations on track.
Strengthen governance for your China entity. We can provide experienced director support to help oversee local operations, enhance board substance and support good corporate governance across your China business.
Manage your China workforce with compliant HR and payroll support. We assist with payroll processing, employee administration, individual income tax coordination, social insurance and housing fund support, helping you meet local employment requirements with ease.
Set up your local presence in China faster. Hawksford can support office space, facilities, equipment and practical setup needs, helping your business establish a professional base and start operating efficiently.
China company setup, accounting and compliance FAQs
Expanding into China involves more than company registration. From capital planning and bank account opening to fapiao compliance and company chop governance, we provide practical, on-the-ground support to help you establish, manage and grow your operations with confidence.
Capital contribution requirements in China depend on your entity type, business activity and industry. For most WFOEs, there is generally no statutory minimum registered capital, unless the business operates in a regulated sector. However, under China’s updated Company Law, subscribed registered capital should be fully contributed within the required timeframe, making it important to set a realistic capital amount from the outset. Hawksford can help you assess your operating needs, cash flow plans and compliance obligations, so your capital structure supports both market entry and long-term growth.
Outsourcing company formation in China helps reduce complexity, save management time and lower the risk of delays or non-compliance. Setting up a China entity involves choosing the right structure, preparing local documentation, appointing statutory roles, coordinating AMR filings and completing post-registration steps such as bank account opening and company chops. Hawksford combines on-the-ground China knowledge with international corporate services experience, helping businesses navigate the process efficiently while building a compliant foundation for future operations.
Yes, Hawksford can support you throughout the corporate bank account opening process in China. This includes preparing required documentation, coordinating with banks, and guiding you through regulatory and compliance requirements. Our local experience helps address common challenges, supporting a smoother and more efficient account opening process.
Company chops in China carry significant legal authority and are often required for contracts, banking, tax filings and government submissions. Without clear controls, unauthorised use can create operational and compliance risks. Hawksford’s company secretarial support helps clients manage chop custody, approval processes and usage records in a transparent and traceable way. By separating approval from custody and maintaining clear documentation, businesses can strengthen corporate governance, reduce misuse risk and improve visibility over key corporate actions in China.
Yes. Hawksford supports businesses across the full lifecycle of a company in China, from market entry and incorporation to ongoing compliance, accounting, tax, payroll, corporate governance, restructuring and exit. Our integrated approach helps ensure continuity as your business evolves, whether you are setting up a new entity, adjusting your structure, managing annual compliance or preparing for deregistration. With local teams and international experience, Hawksford helps clients stay focused on their commercial priorities while we manage the administrative and compliance burden.
Fapiao is a key part of China’s tax and accounting system, serving as an official tax receipt and important accounting voucher. Managing fapiao properly requires accurate issuance, verification, reconciliation and record-keeping, while also aligning local tax compliance with group reporting requirements. Hawksford’s accounting and tax teams support clients with day-to-day bookkeeping, tax filing and compliance, helping bridge local China requirements with international reporting expectations. This helps businesses maintain transparency, reduce tax risk and support consistent financial reporting across jurisdictions.
Yes. Hawksford can help businesses transition accounting and tax functions from an existing provider in China through a structured and controlled process. This may involve reviewing historical records, understanding current reporting practices, identifying compliance gaps and aligning processes with your group requirements. Our China teams provide accounting, tax, bookkeeping and ongoing corporate support, helping ensure continuity during the handover. With the right planning, the transition can improve visibility, strengthen compliance and give your business a more reliable platform for future growth.
Meet our team on the ground
Our team of experts has vast industry knowledge and market insight, and can support your decision-making and be with you through every stage of your expansion journey.
Navin Hossain
Associate Director, Business Development – East China, Corporate
Which region is right for your investment.
We're not the cheapest agent in Dubai. We are the team that fund managers, second-generation founders and listed companies trust when getting it wrong is not an option.
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Greater Bay Area
(e.g., Guangdong, Shenzhen)
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Eastern Coastal (e.g., Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang) |
Central Region
(e.g., Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi) |
Western Region
(e.g., Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Xinjiang) |
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Senior advisor named on day one |
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| Fixed fee, fully itemised | |||
| Pre-introduced banking relationships | |||
Regulated entity in 14 jurisdictions |
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Ongoing accounting, tax & compliance |
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VAT & corporate tax registration included |
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Independent of any single free zone |
You focus on the business. We’ll handle the rest.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling into China, we are your partner in doing business right.
Our clients come first. Every time.
We have a proven track record of working with clients of all sizes around the world, providing targeted solutions that are relevant to the nature of their business. Whether you are expanding into China, outsourcing support for your China operations, or changing from another provider, we are here to help.
“We’ve been working with Hawksford since 2012 when we decided to set up our own entities in Asia. The China team is very professional and helpful. They took care of every step of business formation, giving us advice and responding to our needs in a timely manner. With their ongoing support in accounting, tax, and corporate governance, we have been able to establish our presence in Asia and would continue to work with Hawksford as a trusted partner.”
Sophia Zhou, APAC Finance Controller, Moleskine China
“Hawksford has been a trusted partner, supporting Valextra with setting up entities and stores in Greater China, and demonstrating their deep understanding of local regulations, tax and accounting, and ways of doing business in the region. With a dedicated Account Manager who's always been able to come to us with solutions and a Plan B promptly, we are delighted with their professional services and mindset.”
Frederic Ture, Managing Director Greater China, Valextra