Other Briefings5 Common Mistakes Foreign SMEs Make When Entering the Chinese Market
From choosing the wrong corporate structure to underestimating IP risks, we outline five common mistakes foreign SMEs make when entering the Chinese market – and how to avoid them.
Setting Up a Business in Hong Kong: What is the Full Cost?
Setting up a business in Hong Kong involves a range of costs that go well beyond the initial registration fees. This guide breaks down every major expense, from incorporation and visas to office rents and payroll obligations.
China Strengthens Trademark Enforcement: What the 2026 Amendment Means for Businesses
The new amendment strengthens mechanisms for brand protection for rights holders while introducing new compliance obligations that businesses must address ahead of the January 2027 implementation date.
Entering China: The Most Important Setup Decisions for Manufacturing Businesses
Early setup choices in China manufacturing shape operational flexibility for years. From entity structuring to tax and employment frameworks, getting these decisions right at the outset avoids costly constraints that are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to reverse.
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5 Common Mistakes Foreign SMEs Make When Entering the Chinese Market
Legal & Regulatory Jul 14 -
Where to Invest in China’s Biopharma Boom: Mapping the Big Three Clusters in 2026
Industries Jul 14 -
Non-Compete Agreements in China: A Guide for Foreign Employers
Human Resources & Payroll Jul 10 -
Hong Kong Refines Fund and Family Office Tax Regime: Key Changes and Implications
Tax & Accounting Jul 10 -
China Monthly Tax Brief: June 2026
Tax & Accounting Jul 10
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Economy & Trade
EU-China Relations After the 2024 European Elections: A Timeline
Jul 08Timeline tracking key developments affecting EU-China relations, including trade and business engagement, under the new European Parliament.
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China's New Foreign Investment Action Plan: The Measures That Matter Most for FIEs
Economy & Trade Jul 07China’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.
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US-China Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era: A Timeline
Economy & Trade Jul 03On 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.
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Where to Invest in China in 2026 and Beyond: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Economy & Trade Jun 25A 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.
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Shanghai’s Offshore Finance Plan: What It Covers and Why It Matters
Economy & Trade Jun 22China’s Shanghai offshore finance plan aims to boost cross-border flows and RMB use. Explore key policies and implications for businesses and investors.
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China Industries to Watch in 2025 Tapping into Growth Opportunities
Published: February 2025
China’s policy-driven initiatives will shape its industrial trajectory in 2025, driving growth thr... -
An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2026
Published: December 2025China remains a vital market for global companies in 2026, offering scale, integrated supply chains,...
Tax & Accounting
Hong Kong Refines Fund and Family Office Tax Regime: Key Changes and Implications
Jul 10Hong Kong’s 2026 tax bill expands incentives for funds, asset managers, and family offices under the Unified Fund Exemption. Explore key changes and implications.
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China Monthly Tax Brief: June 2026
Tax & Accounting Jul 09Our June 2026 tax brief covers a new VAT filing pilot, real-time petrol invoicing rules, OECD remote-work PE guidance, and new foreign investment incentives, among other important updates foreign businesses should know.
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Transfer Pricing in Hong Kong: BEPS 2.0, Documentation, and Trends
Tax & Accounting Jul 03Hong Kong implemented the global minimum tax (Pillar Two) from January 1, 2025. This article examines the latest transfer pricing trends, documentation expectations, and what MNE groups should prepare.
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China Manufacturing Tracker 2026
Tax & Accounting Jul 01Our tracker provides continuous updates on key economic and growth indicators in China’s manufacturing industry. The data for May 2026 has now been updated.
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Hong Kong’s Evolving Double Tax Agreement (DTA) Network 2026
Tax & Accounting Jun 30Hong 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.
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Optimizing Your China Manufacturing Operations: Setup, Acquisition, and Restructuring Pathways
Published: May 2026In a year where global supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitical pressures, cost consideratio... -
Tax Health and Dispute Strategies for Foreign Firms in China
Published: August 2025Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) operating in China must treat tax health as a competitive advant...
Legal & Regulatory
5 Common Mistakes Foreign SMEs Make When Entering the Chinese Market
Jul 14From choosing the wrong corporate structure to underestimating IP risks, we outline five common mistakes foreign SMEs make when entering the Chinese market – and how to avoid them.
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China Tightens Contract Food Manufacturing Rules: What Foreign Companies Need to Know
Legal & Regulatory Jul 08New rules taking effect on December 1, 2026 make brand owners jointly responsible for the safety of food produced under contract in China. We outline what existing companies and new market entrants need to do to comply.
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Setting Up a Business in Hong Kong: What is the Full Cost?
Legal & Regulatory Jul 07Setting up a business in Hong Kong involves a range of costs that go well beyond the initial registration fees. This guide breaks down every major expense, from incorporation and visas to office rents and payroll obligations.
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China Clarifies Medical Device Classification for Brain-Computer Interfaces: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Legal & Regulatory Jul 03NMPA's new guideline sorts BCI devices into concrete risk classes and registration pathways, turning what used to be a regulatory guessing game into a roadmap foreign investors can actually plan around. Find out which devices get the fast-track Class II route, which face the full Class III gauntlet, and what it all means for your China market entry strategy.
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China’s 2026 Legislative Agenda: Which Laws Matter Most for Foreign Businesses?
Legal & Regulatory Jul 02Under the new agenda, China will introduce major reforms to procurement, trademarks, taxation, bankruptcy, and financial regulations. These changes, which aim to unify rules, tighten compliance, and reshape market access, could require foreign companies to reassess strategies and regulatory exposure.
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Data Compliance in China: A Roadmap for Foreign Investors
Published: October 2025In China’s fast-evolving digital landscape, data compliance has become a strategic imperative – ... -
Tax Health and Dispute Strategies for Foreign Firms in China
Published: August 2025Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) operating in China must treat tax health as a competitive advant...
Industries
Where to Invest in China’s Biopharma Boom: Mapping the Big Three Clusters in 2026
Jul 13China now generates close to a third of the world’s innovative-drug pipeline, and foreign multinationals are committing billions to specific addresses. We map where the capital is going, and why each of China’s three anchor life sciences clusters suits a different kind of investor.
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China Clarifies Medical Device Classification for Brain-Computer Interfaces: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Industries Jul 03NMPA's new guideline sorts BCI devices into concrete risk classes and registration pathways, turning what used to be a regulatory guessing game into a roadmap foreign investors can actually plan around. Find out which devices get the fast-track Class II route, which face the full Class III gauntlet, and what it all means for your China market entry strategy.
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China’s Medical Device Industry – Why Beijing is the Place to Invest
Industries Jul 02Beijing is fast becoming China's leading hub for innovative medical devices, backed by dedicated industrial parks, policy incentives, and world-class research infrastructure. We look at where the opportunities lie for foreign companies and how to position for market entry.
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China Manufacturing Tracker 2026
Industries Jul 01Our tracker provides continuous updates on key economic and growth indicators in China’s manufacturing industry. The data for May 2026 has now been updated.
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China's Maternity and Baby Market (Part II): Key Segments and Opportunities for Foreign Brands
Industries Jun 30China's maternity and baby market offers clear opportunities for foreign brands. But the market is competitive, regulated, and highly segmented. Part II maps the key product and service segments, the real challenges foreign entrants face, and where the strongest opportunities lie.
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Optimizing Your China Manufacturing Operations: Setup, Acquisition, and Restructuring Pathways
Published: May 2026In a year where global supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitical pressures, cost consideratio... -
Data Compliance in China: A Roadmap for Foreign Investors
Published: October 2025In China’s fast-evolving digital landscape, data compliance has become a strategic imperative – ...
HR & Payroll
Non-Compete Agreements in China: A Guide for Foreign Employers
Jul 10Non-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.
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AI-Powered HR in China: Who's Liable When Algorithms Decide?
HR & Payroll Jul 06AI 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.
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How to Hire Over-Age Workers in China: A Practical Guide for HR and In-House Counsel (Part II)
HR & Payroll Jun 26Part 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.
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How to Legally Hire Over-Age Workers in China: A Practical Guide (Part I)
HR & Payroll Jun 19Hiring 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.
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An Introduction to Doing Business in Hong Kong 2026-27
HR & Payroll Jun 18Compiled by professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates, this guide is ideal for investors entering the Hong Kong market and for existing businesses to stay informed.
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Labor Trends and Risk Management in China 2026
Published: February 2026In a year where China’s labor landscape is defined by slower expansion, tighter compliance expecta... -
Tax Health and Dispute Strategies for Foreign Firms in China
Published: August 2025Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) operating in China must treat tax health as a competitive advant...
Technology
EU-China Relations After the 2024 European Elections: A Timeline
Jul 08Timeline tracking key developments affecting EU-China relations, including trade and business engagement, under the new European Parliament.
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Navigating Data Compliance in Chinese M&A Transactions
Technology Jun 11Understanding how China's data protection laws affect every stage of a cross-border acquisition is essential for foreign companies exploring M&A opportunities in the country.
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Selling Connected Products in China? Prepare for the New Cybersecurity Label
Technology Jun 01China’s Cybersecurity Label is a voluntary regime for internet-connected products taking effect on July 1, 2026. While not mandatory, it may become an important buyer-trust and procurement signal for foreign IoT companies selling in China.
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Shanghai Expands Data Export Negative List Regime: What Foreign Businesses Need to Know
Technology May 26Shanghai’s new data export negative list has been expanded to cover the entire city, reducing compliance burdens for more companies and setting a precedent in China.
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China Cybersecurity Label Explained: Why ‘Optional’ Doesn’t Mean Irrelevant
Technology Apr 30For foreign companies selling smart devices, routers, cameras, or any IoT product in China, the new voluntary cybersecurity label is not just a logo but signals whether your product meets China’s security baseline, and increasingly, whether it gets chosen at all.
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Data Compliance in China: A Roadmap for Foreign Investors
Published: October 2025In China’s fast-evolving digital landscape, data compliance has become a strategic imperative – ... -
PIPL 2024: Cross-Border Data Transfer in China Handbook
Published: April 2024China’s PIPL and cross-border data transfer (CBDT) frameworks require that companies operating in ...
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Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing market entry, legal, accounting, tax, HR, technology and operational advisory to international investors.
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Asia Briefing publishes articles, magazines, and guides on doing business in Asia. Dezan Shira & Associates has produced the publication since 1999.
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