01 · ChinaMNC
Why consider Yiyang
Yiyang sits in Shangrao, a prefecture in northeast Jiangxi that borders Zhejiang and Fujian and connects toward the Yangtze River Delta. For foreign founders, the appeal is often cost and proximity rather than a large expatriate business community. The county has industrial park infrastructure and a base in sectors such as manufacturing, processing and agricultural products, with Shangrao serving as the wider administrative and commercial hub. Transport links through Shangrao, including rail connections on major lines, make it possible to reach Hangzhou, Shanghai and Nanchang for meetings and logistics.
Before committing, visit the specific park or site, confirm land or factory availability, and check environmental and safety rules for your sector. Yiyang is a county-level location, so English-language services are limited; plan for Chinese-language filings and local professional support. Use this page as a starting framework, not a substitute for local due diligence.
02 · ChinaMNC
Entity options: WFOE, JV or RO
WFOE (wholly foreign-owned enterprise): the most common choice for foreign founders who want full control. A WFOE can conduct permitted business activities, hire staff and invoice customers. It requires a registered address, capital contribution arrangements and a business scope consistent with your plans.
JV (joint venture): suitable where a local partner brings land, licences, distribution or sector expertise. A JV needs a clear shareholders' agreement covering governance, capital, profit distribution and exit. Diligence the partner and confirm any sector restrictions.
RO (representative office): a lighter presence for liaison and market research. An RO cannot earn revenue directly and has limited staffing scope; it is not a substitute for an operating company.
For manufacturing or processing in Yiyang, a WFOE is often the practical route, subject to sector rules and environmental approvals. Confirm the correct entity and scope with local authorities before filing.
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Five-step registration process
- Prepare and verify. Confirm your business scope, registered address, legal representative and capital plan. Check sector restrictions and any pre-approvals, such as environmental or safety permits for manufacturing.
- Name and pre-registration. Reserve a company name and prepare the articles of association and shareholder documents. Foreign documents usually need notarisation and legalisation or apostille, plus Chinese translation where required.
- Submit for business licence. File with the market regulation authority, typically through the local administrative service centre. Expect review and possible requests for clarification.
- Post-licence steps. Arrange company seals, bank account opening, tax registration and invoicing setup. Foreign exchange and customs registration may apply depending on your activities.
- Operate and comply. Set up bookkeeping, annual reporting and, where relevant, work permits and residence permits for foreign staff.
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Documents to prepare
Requirements vary by entity and authority, but foreign founders should generally prepare the following. Documents from abroad usually require notarisation and legalisation or apostille, and Chinese translations.
- Passport copies of shareholders, legal representative and directors.
- Proof of address for the foreign shareholder or parent company, and incorporation documents if a company is investing.
- Proposed company names and a business scope draft.
- Articles of association and shareholder resolutions.
- Registered address proof, such as a lease or park allocation letter.
- Capital contribution plan and source-of-funds information for bank and regulatory review.
- Sector-specific approvals where applicable.
Keep originals consistent across documents. Discrepancies in names, addresses or capital figures are a common cause of delay. Have a local professional review the pack before submission.
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Registered address and business scope
The registered address must be a real, usable location accepted by the authorities. In Yiyang, options include office space, industrial park premises or a serviced address where permitted. For manufacturing, confirm zoning, environmental capacity and utility access before signing a lease. Do not assume a residential address will be accepted.
Business scope should describe permitted activities accurately, using standard Chinese wording. Keep it focused on what you will actually do, and add related activities you reasonably expect. Some activities require pre-approval or additional licences, such as food processing, hazardous materials or certain import-export operations. Overly broad scope can trigger extra scrutiny; an overly narrow scope can restrict invoicing. Review the draft with your adviser and the local authority.
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Banking, tax and visas
Banking: after the business licence and seals, open a corporate RMB account and, where needed, a foreign currency account. Banks apply their own onboarding and source-of-funds checks; prepare ownership and business documentation. Capital contribution and foreign exchange should follow registered arrangements.
Tax: register with the tax authority and set up invoicing. China's tax system includes corporate income tax, VAT and other levies; rates and incentives depend on your activities and current policy. Engage a local accountant for bookkeeping, filings and annual reporting.
Visas: foreign staff typically need a work permit and a residence permit. The process involves employer sponsorship and document checks. Business visitors should use the appropriate visa and avoid working on a visitor status. Confirm current rules with the local immigration authority.
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Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming county rules match big-city practice. Yiyang is a county-level location; confirm local requirements and service availability directly.
- Signing a lease before checking registration acceptance. Verify that the address and use are acceptable for your entity and sector.
- Drafting a vague or overbroad business scope. Match the scope to actual activities and required approvals.
- Incomplete foreign documents. Missing notarisation, legalisation or translation causes delays.
- Ignoring environmental and safety approvals. Manufacturing and processing may need pre-approvals before operations.
- Underestimating banking checks. Prepare clear source-of-funds and ownership information.
- Skipping local advice. Use Chinese-speaking professionals for filings, tax and employment.