10 things you need to set up an office in China
Sometimes it’s easier to do business with people than it is with money.
What should I do if I want to setup an office in China?
Start by picking an industry that’s a good match for the country.
Read more for more tips about finding the right industry for your company.
After determining what industry would make the most sense for your company, it’s time to get started.
Go to the World Trade Center to create a Chinese business address.
Next, go to the Chamber of Commerce to find a listing of all the local business registration agencies.
Visit your local bureau of commerce to find the registration agency in your area.
Your job will be to pick up an official copy of the address and your company will be authorized to operate.
What do I need to know before setting up an office in China?
Most people probably think that a business person needs to be fluent in Mandarin, or know lots of Chinese history to set up a branch
office in China. But this is not necessarily true. You just need to have a solid grasp of the basics. China, and the surrounding area, is a
complex place with a range of cultural norms that can differ widely from one area to another. In addition, you need to be aware of the
regulations, the local population’s attitudes to foreigners, and how you should go about getting your business off the ground.
Let’s look at the benefits, and some of the downsides, of setting up a business in China:
The first thing to consider is your business’s core competency. Are you a software developer? You’ll need to know how to make code in
China.
How can I hire staff for my company?
Chinese Approach: When you decide to have an office in China, you need to know that you will need an approved license and your staff
will need to go through training. Also, the cost is higher and you can expect a higher profit margin.
Japanese Approach: The cost is a lot lower and you will not need to spend so much time training staff. But, as well as a job, you will
need to deal with different legislation.
One of the main differences in each of the approaches is that, when hiring staff in China, you will need to have a special licence for the
role. That means you cannot just hire a masseuse or a cook – you will need to come up with a job description.
If you want to be a bit more flexible and look at hiring a masseuse or a chef, you should check out the options.
What’s the difference between a Shanghai office and Beijing
office?
In China, you don’t have to be in one of the big cities to get a lot done.
Greg Price is the president of Biologic Connections, an accounting and finance firm based in Shanghai, China.
We caught up with him recently, and he gave us some great insights on what it takes to set up an office there. He noted that he first
started setting up an office in China seven years ago, and he has already built up a network of over 20 people from his company there.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Tell us about your business and your experience in setting up your office.
Biologic Connections was founded on the understanding that people want to work for a company where their conscience is
comfortable.
Conclusion
Do you wish to own a business in China but are not sure where to start? It can be a stressful business to run because you need to
manage your accountants, insurance and other expenses all from home and often without a firm understanding of the business itself,
since you’ve never actually managed it. By setting up your business in China, you can develop all the necessary skills you need and run
your company from the safety of your own home without missing out on any of the fun of business.China is one of the biggest markets
for private business owners, with huge growth potential.
Further reading :
FDI
Ciprocess
ChineseClub
Lawyer Jinwang
