Representative Offices are established by foreign companies to engage business liaison, product promotion, market research, exchange of technology and other permitted activities in China.

ROs are not allowed to directly engage in operational activities. This is specified in the Business Scope, as shown in the Approval Certificate of Rep. Offices, that a RO should not engage in direct operational activities. However, some ROs are engaged in operations in a lawful or tacitly permitted way and constitute one of the direct foreign Investment forms in China.

The tacitly permitted way is applicable to those industries that do not require special material conditions or environment for their operations. For example, a consulting business does not need manufacturing equipment and raw materials. It only needs offices, employees and office articles office infrastructure. In practice, many Rep. Offices that are established by foreign consulting companies directly engage in consulting activities.

Registration
Appointment of representative
Tax filing
Deregistration

If you require more information on any particular issue relating to investment in China please send us an email.