Set up and run your company in mainland China

01 · ChinaMNC

Why mainland China for Fijian founders

Mainland China is one of the world's largest consumer and industrial markets, and it is also a deep supply chain base. For a Fijian company, that combination can matter in two directions: selling into China, and sourcing or manufacturing there for export back to Fiji and the Pacific.

China's market is not a single market. Consumer preferences, distribution and regulation differ by city and province. Founders who succeed tend to start with a narrow product or service, a specific city, and a clear customer. A local partner or hired country manager can help you read the market before you commit to a full subsidiary.

China also offers a wide base of manufacturing, logistics and digital platforms. For Fijian exporters of food, beverages, tourism services or niche consumer goods, the questions are usually about market access, labeling, distribution and e-commerce. For Fijian importers, the questions are about supplier verification, quality control and payment terms.

Treat China as a long-term commitment. Registration is the easy part; building local relationships, understanding compliance and adapting your product take longer. Plan your budget and management time accordingly.

02 · ChinaMNC

WFOE, joint venture or representative office

Foreign investors in China generally choose between three structures. The right one depends on what you want to do: earn revenue, partner with a Chinese company, or simply research the market.

• WFOE (Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise). A limited liability company owned entirely by your Fijian entity or by you as an individual. It can invoice customers, hire staff and repatriate profits. This is the most common structure for companies that want to trade or provide services in China.
• Joint venture (JV). A company shared with one or more Chinese partners. A JV can open doors to local networks, licenses and land, but it requires a clear shareholders' agreement, governance rules and exit provisions. Choose your partner carefully and document everything.
• Representative office (RO). A non-profit liaison office. It can support market research and contact-making but cannot sign contracts or earn revenue. It suits companies testing the market before committing to a WFOE.

Some activities are restricted or require specific approvals. Check the current negative list and sector rules for your industry before you choose a structure, and confirm the registered capital and scope with a local adviser.

03 · ChinaMNC

The five-step registration process

The exact sequence varies by city and industry, but most WFOE setups follow a similar path.

• Step 1: Confirm scope and name. Define your business activities in wording that Chinese authorities accept, and reserve a company name. Keep a shortlist of names; approval is not automatic.
• Step 2: Prepare and notarise documents. Your Fijian corporate documents and personal identification usually need notarisation, and often legalisation or an apostille, plus Chinese translations. Requirements depend on the document and the receiving authority.
• Step 3: File for business registration. Submit the application through the local market regulation system. On approval you receive the business licence, which is the foundation for everything that follows.
• Step 4: Complete post-licence steps. This typically includes company seals, tax registration, social insurance and housing fund registration, and a foreign exchange registration.
• Step 5: Open bank accounts and start operating. Open the basic RMB account and any foreign currency account, then arrange accounting, invoicing and staff onboarding.

Timelines depend on document readiness, approvals and city practice. Build in buffer time rather than assuming a fixed number of days.

04 · ChinaMNC

Documents you will need

Document requirements differ by city and by the type of investor, so always confirm the current list with the local registration authority or your adviser. The following is a practical checklist to start preparing.

• Investor documents. Certificate of incorporation, constitution or articles, and shareholder and director registers for a Fijian company. For an individual investor, a passport copy.
• Notarisation and legalisation. Corporate documents are commonly notarised and then legalised or apostilled, depending on what the receiving Chinese authority accepts. Confirm the exact route before you start.
• Chinese translations. Translations of foreign documents are usually required, and some authorities require them from an approved translation provider.
• Company details. Proposed Chinese company name, registered address lease or proof of premises, business scope, registered capital and shareholder proportions.
• Personnel documents. Legal representative, supervisor and executive director identification and appointment documents, plus contact details.
• Application forms. Signed registration forms, the articles of association and any industry-specific approvals.

Keep originals and scanned copies organised. Missing or inconsistent documents are one of the most common causes of delay.

05 · ChinaMNC

Registered address and business scope

Your registered address is the legal home of the company and appears on the business licence. It must be a real, usable address accepted by the local authority, not just a mailbox. Options include a leased office, a co-working space that supports registration, or an address provided by a licensed service provider. Check what the district accepts, and keep the lease and property documents ready.

Business scope defines what the company may do. Write it in standard Chinese wording that matches your actual activities. If you plan to trade, provide services, import or export, or run e-commerce, make sure the relevant activities are included. Some activities require a separate licence or filing before you can start; a scope item alone does not grant permission.

Registered capital is a commitment, not a fee. Under China's company law, shareholders subscribe to capital and are expected to pay it in line with the company's articles and the applicable rules. Choose an amount you can realistically fund and that fits the expectations of banks, partners and licensing authorities.

Review scope and address if your business changes. Amending them later is possible but adds time and cost.

06 · ChinaMNC

Banking, tax and visas

Banking. After registration, open a basic RMB account for operations and, if needed, a foreign currency account for cross-border payments. Banks apply their own due diligence, so expect questions about your shareholders, business model, expected transactions and source of funds. Bring consistent documents and be ready to explain your China plans. Online banking access and payment tools are usually arranged after account opening.

Tax. Register with the tax authority and understand your obligations: invoices, periodic filings, annual reporting and, where relevant, VAT and corporate income tax. Engagement with a local accountant early is wise. Transfer pricing, withholding tax and foreign exchange rules can affect how you move money between Fiji and China.

Visas and permits. Foreign staff generally need a work permit and a residence permit to work in China. The process usually involves a PU invitation letter or work permit notice, a Z visa, and then conversion to a residence permit after arrival. Short-term business visas suit meetings and research but not employment. Rules and processing times change, so confirm current requirements with the Chinese embassy or consulate and the local immigration authority.

Plan banking, tax and immigration together; they depend on the same registration and personnel documents.

07 · ChinaMNC

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems are avoidable with preparation. Watch for these recurring issues.

• Choosing the wrong entity. Setting up a representative office when you need to invoice customers, or a WFOE when a lighter structure would do, wastes money and time.
• Underestimating document formalities. Notarisation, legalisation, translation and signature consistency matter. Small mismatches can send an application back.
• Vague business scope. Wording that is too broad or does not match your actual activity can cause delays or problems with banks and tax.
• Ignoring the registered address rules. A non-compliant address can block registration or later inspections.
• Skipping local accounting. Late filings and poor invoice management create penalties and complicate banking.
• Assuming Fiji documents work as-is. Chinese authorities need Chinese-language documents in the format they expect.
• Treating China as one market. City, channel and customer differences are large; test before scaling.
• No exit or governance plan in a JV. Agree decision rights, deadlock rules and exit routes before signing.

Get local professional advice on structure, tax and employment before you file.