Skip to main content

Legal Wiki · Knowledge base

China Legal Wiki — Knowledge Base

Definition-first explainers for terms foreign clients meet first: WFOE, PIPL, cross-border data transfer, tax residence, M&A exit, SAMR filings, SAFE remittances, and more. Use these as stepping stones into full practice and city guides.

  • 40+ knowledge articles
  • Topic-grouped for scanning
  • Hot-keyword Wave A/B coverage

Start here

Most-requested orientation pages

Popular

What Is a WFOE?

The standard wholly foreign-owned vehicle for operating in China.

Open guide Hot

Cross-Border Data Transfer

CAC assessment, SCC filing, and certification paths.

Open guide Popular

PIPL (Privacy)

China’s core personal information protection law.

Open guide Hot

Tax Residence (183-Day)

When foreigners become China tax residents.

Open guide

Doing business in China

Entity types, investment access, tax, M&A, exit, and FX

What Is a WFOE? Equity JV vs WFOE Foreign Investment Negative List National Security Review (NSR) Company Chops Legal Representative Risks M&A & Equity Transfer WFOE Liquidation & Exit SAMR Merger Control Corporate Income Tax Value-Added Tax (VAT) PIT for Foreign Individuals Tax Residence (183-Day) Profit Repatriation SAFE & Foreign Exchange UBO & Beneficial Owners 5-Year Capital Contribution Transfer Pricing Private Equity & VC Anti-Bribery & AML

Intellectual property & data

Protecting brands, inventions, secrets, and personal data

Trademark Registration Patent Protection Copyright Protection Trade Secrets PIPL (Privacy) Cybersecurity Law Cross-Border Data Transfer Important Data & Localization

Employment & immigration

Contracts, non-competes, benefits, and work visas

Employment Contracts Non-Compete Agreements Social Insurance Work Visa (Z Visa) Work Permit & Notification Letter

Courts, disputes & family

How the system works and key procedures

Court System Commercial Arbitration Enforcing Foreign Judgments Divorce Procedure

Trade, products & land

Customs, product safety, sanctions, and land use rights

Customs Declaration Product Recalls Export Control & Sanctions Land Use Rights E-Commerce & Platforms

Recently added explainers

Hot-keyword Wave A/B/C topics now in Quick Answers

Data

Cross-border data transfer

CAC assessment, SCC filing, and certification paths for outbound data.

View explainer Business

WFOE liquidation & deregistration

Exit sequence: employees, tax clearance, chops, and registry close-out.

View explainer Business

M&A & equity transfer basics

Share deals for FIEs: diligence, filings, and closing mechanics.

View explainer Tax

Tax residence & 183-day rule

When foreigners become China tax residents—and the six-year framework.

View explainer Tax

Profit repatriation basics

Dividends, withholding tax, and bank documentation for outbound profits.

View explainer Business

National security review (NSR)

Security screening for foreign investment—separate from the negative list.

View explainer Business

SAMR merger control

When China antitrust filings apply to M&A and joint ventures.

View explainer Business

SAFE & FX basics for FIEs

How banks and foreign-exchange rules shape remittances and capital flows.

View explainer Business

UBO & beneficial owners

Who must be disclosed and why banks care about ultimate controllers.

View explainer Trade

Export control & sanctions

Dual-use controls and restricted-party risk for China-linked business.

View explainer

Go deeper

From a wiki definition, open the matching national practice guide, keyword centre, or a city legal market page.

Practice guides Keyword centres City guides Find lawyers