When a foreign investor chooses to enter the China market, they will first need to decide whether to launch their business by establishing a legal entity with a capital investment in China or to start more cautiously by testing the market, building networks and/or hiring local representatives.
If a legal entity is the preferred route, the foreign investor will have to consider, in addition to the general commercial and strategic considerations: the business sector, the amount to be invested and whether a Chinese partner is desirable or even mandatory. Government rules for specific industries may affect the size and form of the investment. For instance, media, automotive and telecom industries are all industries that may require foreign invested enterprises to have local partners.
Representative Office (RO)
A Representative Office (RO) can represent the interests of a foreign investor by acting as a liaison office for the parent company. ROs can conduct market research, develop partnerships and business channels and, since they do not have a minimum investment requirement, ROs are not considered to be a Foreign Invested Enterprise (FIE). ROs are the least complicated way for a foreign firm to have a legal presence in China and were, at one time, the first choice for foreign companies with little or no previous experience in the country. However all business transactions, including the issuance of invoices, must be managed by the parent company and ROs can only hire a maximum of four foreign employees. Any local employees must be hired through government-authorised employment agencies. ROs are usually taxed on a proportion of gross monthly expenses. Given the restrictions on transactions, employment and the taxation on expenses, WFOEs are generally now considered a better option for entrants seeking to develop their business in the China market.
Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE)
A WFOE is a limited liability company (LLC) that is fully invested by one or more foreign investors. Along with the rights afforded to a RO, a WFOE may also legally conduct business transactions within China and hire local employees on its own accord. However, foreign investors do have to make an investment into the company and, depending upon the business activity, there may be a minimum capital requirement. WFOEs have begun to outpace joint ventures as the most popular vehicle for a China presence.
Joint Ventures (JVs)
There are two types of joint venture structure in the China market:

• Equity Joint Venture (EJV) – EJVs have capital investments from both local and foreign firms. The percentage of the capital investment determines the amount of profit and risk that both the foreign and local company assumes. Foreign firms entering business sectors where WFOEs are prohibited often use EJVs, although this is becoming less prevalent as more and more sectors are being opened up to WFOEs.
• Cooperative Joint Venture (CJV) – CJVs are also partnerships with a local company; however, the amount of risk and profit shared by each party is not determined by capital investment but is agreed upon at the beginning of the partnership. CJVs were used more frequently in the 1990s when the Chinese economy was not as developed. International companies often injected funds, while local Chinese companies provided equipment and other necessities. Laws, regulations and procedures for establishment can vary substantially between sectors. The common risks associated with entering into partnerships also apply in China but this is often exacerbated by disparities in the culture and business practices between the foreign and local partners. Foreign companies should enter into JVs only when both parties have established a clear understanding of the business objectives and appropriate exit strategies have been developed.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
M&A has become an increasingly popular route to invest in China in recent years. There are many options for M&A in China, including equity and asset acquisitions, as well as mergers. As a form of foreign direct investment, the general rules on establishment of FIEs also apply to any M&A.

When a foreign investor chooses to enter the China market, they will first need to decide whether to launch their business by establishing a legal entity with a capital investment in China or to start more cautiously by testing the market, building networks and/or hiring local representatives.
If a legal entity is the preferred route, the foreign investor will have to consider, in addition to the general commercial and strategic considerations: the business sector, the amount to be invested and whether a Chinese partner is desirable or even mandatory. Government rules for specific industries may affect the size and form of the investment. For instance, media, automotive and telecom industries are all industries that may require foreign invested enterprises to have local partners.
Representative Office (RO)
A Representative Office (RO) can represent the interests of a foreign investor by acting as a liaison office for the parent company. ROs can conduct market research, develop partnerships and business channels and, since they do not have a minimum investment requirement, ROs are not considered to be a Foreign Invested Enterprise (FIE). ROs are the least complicated way for a foreign firm to have a legal presence in China and were, at one time, the first choice for foreign companies with little or no previous experience in the country. However all business transactions, including the issuance of invoices, must be managed by the parent company and ROs can only hire a maximum of four foreign employees. Any local employees must be hired through government-authorised employment agencies. ROs are usually taxed on a proportion of gross monthly expenses. Given the restrictions on transactions, employment and the taxation on expenses, WFOEs are generally now considered a better option for entrants seeking to develop their business in the China market.
Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE)
A WFOE is a limited liability company (LLC) that is fully invested by one or more foreign investors. Along with the rights afforded to a RO, a WFOE may also legally conduct business transactions within China and hire local employees on its own accord. However, foreign investors do have to make an investment into the company and, depending upon the business activity, there may be a minimum capital requirement. WFOEs have begun to outpace joint ventures as the most popular vehicle for a China presence.
Joint Ventures (JVs)
There are two types of joint venture structure in the China market:

• Equity Joint Venture (EJV) – EJVs have capital investments from both local and foreign firms. The percentage of the capital investment determines the amount of profit and risk that both the foreign and local company assumes. Foreign firms entering business sectors where WFOEs are prohibited often use EJVs, although this is becoming less prevalent as more and more sectors are being opened up to WFOEs.
• Cooperative Joint Venture (CJV) – CJVs are also partnerships with a local company; however, the amount of risk and profit shared by each party is not determined by capital investment but is agreed upon at the beginning of the partnership. CJVs were used more frequently in the 1990s when the Chinese economy was not as developed. International companies often injected funds, while local Chinese companies provided equipment and other necessities. Laws, regulations and procedures for establishment can vary substantially between sectors. The common risks associated with entering into partnerships also apply in China but this is often exacerbated by disparities in the culture and business practices between the foreign and local partners. Foreign companies should enter into JVs only when both parties have established a clear understanding of the business objectives and appropriate exit strategies have been developed.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
M&A has become an increasingly popular route to invest in China in recent years. There are many options for M&A in China, including equity and asset acquisitions, as well as mergers. As a form of foreign direct investment, the general rules on establishment of FIEs also apply to any M&A.