Corporate Structure of China Company

In accordance with the company law of the Peoples Republic of China and relevant regulations for the implementation of the law of foreign invested enterprises promulgated in 26th, October of 2018, and voted through the sixth session of the standing committee of the 13th National People’s Congress. In order to regulate the behavior of the enterprises and organizations, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of shareholders and creditors, maintain social and economic order, the second legal catalog stipulates, a legal registered enterprise must set up and appoint effective organizational institution to take responsibility for its rights and obligations.

The regulations and rules apply to all local businesses and organizational types such as private companies, LLC ( limited liability company ), LLP ( limited liability partnership ), WFOE ( wholly foreign owned enterprise ) known as WOFE ( wholly owned foreign enterprise ) and FICE ( foreign invested commercial enterprise ), JV ( joint venture business between foreign shareholder and Chinese partnership ), domestic invested enterprise, subsidiary company, offshore company, stock company and group company, etc.

A reasonable corporate structure decided by shareholder(s) of China company for ensuring the smooth development of business. Most Chinese limited companies are owned by shareholders ( actual capital contributors, investors ).

An available Chinese corporate structure must include 4 key positions, shareholder(s), supervisor and executive director ( known as the legal representative ) and an accountant.

Therefore, shareholders of China company have the rights to vote corporate directors, legal representative, supervisor, financial management teams and other optional positions depending on corporate decisions. That means all key positions appointed by shareholder(s).

You have to decide who the shareholder is, according to company laws, you have to decide 1 shareholder at least. If have 2 or more shareholders, all of you have to work out Chinese corporate shares, and take responsibility for corporate limited liabilities ( debts ) and also can get benefits ( profit dividends ).

Chinese shareholders can be individuals (Chinese or nonresidents), and existed corporations and business entities (Chinese companies or foreign enterprises).

Executive director known as legal representative, only one person ( individual ) can be the executive director appointed by shareholder(s), certainly, one shareholder also can be the legal representative voted by the board of shareholders in terms of Chinese corporate laws.

For an executive director also can be a local resident or a foreigner (no nationality restrictions).

As a senior executive secretary appointed by shareholder(s) to supervise the daily operations, check situations of taxation and bank records on behalf of shareholder(s). In order to limit the power, the supervisor cannot be the executive director (legal representative). A supervisor also does not have the nationality restrictions.

The Chinese corporate accountant must be a Chinese person to operate daily tax records and annual inspection and audit. At the initial stage of the enterprise, you can look for a third party accounting firm to operate the daily accounting and bookkeeping. Exactly as SMEsChina is providing that.

Above mentioned 4 key structure must be set up by your decisions, and you have to prepare authentic legal documents to verify their legitimacy and submit related files to Chinese market and supervision department ( known as industrial and commercial administration bureau ) to verify and get an approval. ( ++++What required documents have to prepare, you can read the following contents collected by SMEsChina teams ).

Can participate in major decisions and selecting key managers, as corporate owners have the rights appoint directors and supervise positions, decide to issue initial shares to increase the registered capital of the company and applying for dissolving corporation by voting. Board of shareholders of the corporation as the highest authority needs to take responsibility for debts, and implement profit distribution.

As a legal person appointed by shareholder(s) who in charge of internal affairs, civil activities and daily organizational production and operation activities. Take responsibility for his or her signature on different situations such as, purchasing contracts, selling agreements, employment contracts or other legal instruments.

As a member of the company’s supervisory organ, in charge of supervising tax records and senior executives, according to his (her) supervisory responsibilities.

In charge of financial accounting, providing financial analysis reports, preparing budgets, costs and funds, providing strong supporting for corporate strategies of decision-making.

In order to ensure the smooth development of Chinese business, key institution must comply with the regulations and laws for corporate running and operations, pay taxes in accordance with the local tax laws.

If the corporate type is a JV ( joint venture business operated by a Chinese shareholder and foreign owner together ), a joint venture must set up the board of directors appointed by the shareholders, member of directors must include 3 people at least. Other corporate types do not need to set up the board of directors, such as WFOE, FICE, sole trader etc. Board of directors voted by the board of shareholders and as the business decision-making institution to carry out strategic plannings and take responsibility for shareholders of the corporation.

Also is an optional position according to Chinese company laws, you may flexible set up this position depends on corporate decisions. In charge of daily management and implement the strategic decisions of the board of directors, complete all the targets assigned by the board of directors, and report the implementation to the board of directors.

If you have everything to set up a private company with different corporate structure, you must prepare related requirements for setting up an available corporate structure and send these proved files to SMEsChina office, we will submit these documents to the local government office providing the process of verification, and get an approval for your China company registration through submitting required documents of different corporate structure.

By this link, <Prepare Required Documents to Register a Company>, you may start to prepare required documents for these positions of key structure.

If you did not find an associated explanation for your Chinese corporate organizational structure, you can get in touch with our online consultants, contact us right now.