How to Set Up a UK Subsidiary for a Chinese Company in 2026

A practical guide for mainland Chinese parent companies expanding into the United Kingdom

A mainland Chinese company can generally establish a UK private limited company and own 100% of its shares. The Chinese business becomes the corporate shareholder, while the UK subsidiary operates as a separate legal entity.

However, incorporating a UK company is only one part of establishing a workable international business structure.

For an established Chinese manufacturer, exporter, technology business or service provider, the more important questions often concern corporate ownership, Chinese outbound-investment requirements, the lawful transfer of funds and the subsidiary’s continuing UK obligations.

These matters should be assessed before committing to incorporation, funding or operational deadlines.

This guide explains what a mainland Chinese parent company should consider before establishing a UK subsidiary in 2026, how the incorporation process works, and where specialist Chinese legal and investment advice may be required.

Can a Chinese Company Own 100% of a UK Subsidiary?

Yes. A mainland Chinese company can generally be the sole shareholder of a UK private limited company.

UK company law does not impose a general requirement for the shares of an ordinary private limited company to be owned by British citizens or UK residents.

For example, a Chinese manufacturing group could establish the following structure:

ABC Manufacturing Co., Ltd — Mainland China

↓ 100% share ownership

ABC Manufacturing UK Ltd — United Kingdom

The UK company would have its own Companies House registration, directors, statutory obligations and legal identity.

The Chinese parent would own its shares, but the UK subsidiary would ordinarily enter contracts and conduct business in its own name.

Separate legal personality does not eliminate every possible form of parent-company exposure. Guarantees, contractual commitments and other circumstances may create additional obligations.

The official GOV.UK guide to setting up a limited company explains the general UK registration framework.

For a Chinese corporate parent, three workstreams must be considered separately:

UK incorporation: Registering the subsidiary and meeting Companies House requirements.
Chinese outbound investment: Determining which mainland Chinese investment rules apply to the proposed overseas structure.
Funding and operations: Establishing how the subsidiary will lawfully receive funds, conduct business and meet UK obligations.

Completing UK incorporation does not automatically complete the other two workstreams.

This guide focuses on companies incorporated in mainland China. Hong Kong companies operate under a different legal and regulatory framework and should be assessed separately.

1. Why Would a Chinese Company Establish a UK Subsidiary?

A UK subsidiary should serve a defined commercial purpose.

For an established Chinese business, the decision may involve direct customer relationships, local distribution, British contracts, after-sales support or a longer-term UK presence.

Chinese manufacturers and exporters

A manufacturer supplying machinery, electronics, industrial components or consumer products may consider a UK subsidiary to:

Contract directly with British distributors or wholesale customers.
Import and hold stock in the United Kingdom.
Establish a UK sales or after-sales operation.
Employ local commercial or technical staff.
Manage British customer relationships through a separate company.

Before incorporating, the parent should determine which entity will import the products, own the inventory, issue invoices and assume contractual responsibilities.

Those decisions can affect customs, VAT, accounting, product compliance and commercial liability.

Chinese technology and service companies

A software, engineering, consulting or technology company may establish a UK subsidiary to contract with British clients, employ staff or manage local commercial activities.

The group should determine which entity delivers services, owns relevant intellectual property and receives the associated income.

Intercompany licensing, management fees and service arrangements may require specialist accounting and tax consideration.

Wider international expansion

A UK subsidiary may form part of a wider international expansion strategy.

However, the United Kingdom is outside the European Union. Incorporating a UK company does not automatically provide EU regulatory permissions, EU VAT registration or employment rights across Europe.

The jurisdiction should be selected according to the group’s actual markets and operating requirements, rather than the perceived advantages of incorporation alone.

2. UK Subsidiary, UK Branch or Direct Trading from China?

A Chinese company does not necessarily need to incorporate a UK subsidiary simply because it sells goods or services to British customers.

Three broad approaches are available.

Direct trading from China

The Chinese company continues contracting with UK customers from overseas.

Depending on its activities, it may still have UK VAT, customs, tax or other obligations.

UK branch

A branch forms part of the overseas company rather than a separate legal entity.

The Chinese parent remains legally responsible for the branch’s obligations.

Where the overseas company establishes a qualifying UK place of business, Companies House registration and disclosure requirements may apply.

Official reference: Companies House — Register as an Overseas Company.

UK subsidiary

A UK subsidiary is a separate company incorporated under UK law.

The Chinese parent may own all its shares while the subsidiary conducts its own business activities.

This structure is often considered where the group intends to employ UK staff, hold inventory, enter local contracts or establish a continuing British operation.

A subsidiary is not automatically the best option in every situation. The appropriate structure depends on liability, taxation, accounting, operational plans and commercial objectives.

That comparison explains the wider structural decision. The following sections focus on the additional considerations facing a mainland Chinese corporate parent.

3. Who Should Legally Own the UK Subsidiary?

One of the most important decisions is whether the UK company’s shares will be owned by the Chinese parent company or by an individual founder or director.

These arrangements are not legally equivalent.

If an established Chinese manufacturer intends the UK business to be its wholly owned subsidiary, the incorporation documents should accurately reflect the intended corporate shareholding.

Registering the shares personally in the managing director’s name would create a different ownership arrangement.

Shareholder, director and PSC: three different roles

Shareholder: Owns shares in the UK company.

Director: Manages the company and has legal responsibilities under UK company law.

Person with Significant Control (PSC): An individual or entity identified under the applicable statutory ownership and control tests.

One person may occupy more than one role, but these roles should not be confused.

Corporate shareholder documentation

A Chinese parent company should normally be ready to provide:

Its registered legal name and company registration details.
Registered address and principal business activities.
Information about directors and authorised representatives.
Its ownership and control structure.
The proposed UK shareholding.
Supporting corporate documents where required.

A group structure chart may be particularly useful where the Chinese parent has several shareholders or intermediate holding companies.

Documents issued in Chinese may require English translations depending on the filing, verification and service-provider requirements.

PSC and relevant legal entity requirements

UK companies must identify and report their registrable PSCs or relevant legal entities, as applicable.

Holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights is an important statutory control threshold. However, determining who must be registered can require examination of the wider ownership structure.

A mainland Chinese corporate shareholder does not automatically qualify as a registrable relevant legal entity merely because it owns 100% of the UK subsidiary.

The applicable legal tests must be applied to the ownership chain and control arrangements.

Official reference: Companies House — People with Significant Control Guidance.

For complex structures, specialist review may be appropriate before the incorporation application is submitted.

4. Chinese Outbound Investment: What Must Be Resolved Before Funding?

A mainland Chinese company establishing a UK subsidiary must consider two separate legal processes: incorporating the UK company and complying with the Chinese rules applicable to its overseas investment.

China’s outbound direct investment framework is commonly referred to as ODI.

Depending on the investor, project, sector and investment structure, the framework may involve National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) approval or filing requirements, together with applicable foreign-exchange and banking procedures.

These are not interchangeable steps.

A UK Certificate of Incorporation does not establish that the Chinese parent has completed its China-side requirements. It also does not guarantee that investment funds can be transferred to the United Kingdom.

China’s 2026 outbound-investment regulations

China’s State Council issued Decree No. 837, 国务院关于对外投资的规定 (Regulations on Outbound Investment), effective 1 July 2026.

The regulation establishes an overarching framework for outbound investment by investors within mainland China.

Article 12 addresses applicable approval or filing, information-reporting and cross-border capital-registration procedures in accordance with the relevant Chinese rules.

Importantly, the provision does not mean every outbound investment follows one identical approval process.

The applicable requirements must be assessed according to the particular investor, project, sector and investment structure, together with relevant implementing rules.

Official Chinese government source: Ministry of Commerce — State Council Decree No. 837: Regulations on Outbound Investment (Chinese).

This legislation provides an overarching regulatory framework, not a universal case-specific approval sequence.

Three distinct workstreams

1. Chinese investment compliance

The parent determines which outbound-investment approvals, filings, reporting obligations or other requirements apply to its proposed overseas investment.

2. UK subsidiary incorporation

The UK company is registered with Companies House using the appropriate corporate shareholder, director, share capital and control information.

3. Remittance and funding

The parent determines how investment capital or other funds will lawfully reach the subsidiary, including applicable banking and foreign-exchange procedures.

These workstreams may need to be coordinated. Completion of one does not automatically establish compliance with the others.

What should the Chinese parent establish first?

Before committing to a funding timetable, the parent should determine:

Which Chinese entity will own the UK subsidiary?
What is the proposed investment amount and commercial purpose?
Which Chinese approvals, filings or reporting procedures apply?
Will the investment be made directly or through another group entity?
How will capital or intercompany funding be transferred?
What documentation will the relevant financial institution require?

The parent should obtain appropriate China-side professional advice to establish the applicable procedures, their sequence and supporting documentation.

Seven Oak Prestige supports the agreed UK-side company formation and related coordination. Chinese ODI approvals, foreign-exchange advice and specialist Chinese legal work fall outside the scope of a standard UK incorporation service.

5. What Documents Does a Chinese Parent Company Need?

The precise documentation depends on the corporate structure, proposed directors, applicable filing requirements and service provider.

The following is a practical preparation guide rather than an exhaustive universal checklist.

Chinese parent company documents

These may include:

Chinese business licence or equivalent registration evidence.
Registered company name, number and address.
Corporate constitutional documents where required.
Director and authorised representative information.
Shareholder and ultimate ownership information.
Group structure chart, where relevant.
Evidence of corporate authority to establish the overseas subsidiary, where appropriate.
English translations or additional supporting documents when requested.

Proposed UK subsidiary information

The incorporation process will normally require:

Proposed UK company name.
Registered Office address.
Registered email address.
Description of activities and relevant SIC codes.
Director information.
Corporate shareholder details.
Share capital and allocation.
Applicable PSC or relevant legal entity information.
Required identity-verification details.

The UK Registered Office must meet the applicable legal requirements. It is not automatically a trading office, warehouse or staffed commercial premises.

Official reference: GOV.UK — Company Address Requirements.

KYC and compliance checks

A formation or corporate-service provider may request additional information about the proposed business.

This may include the source of funds, existing operations, expected customers and suppliers, ownership structure and intended transaction activity.

Complex ownership, regulated sectors or unusual transaction arrangements may require further checks.

The objective is to establish an accurate and supportable business profile before incorporation.

6. Companies House Identity Verification for Chinese Directors

Companies House identity verification became a mandatory legal requirement for relevant company roles from 18 November 2025.

For a new UK company, proposed directors must complete the required verification process and provide their Companies House personal codes as part of incorporation.

A Chinese national does not generally need to be resident in the United Kingdom to serve as a director of an ordinary UK private limited company.

However, the director must satisfy the applicable identity-verification and other legal requirements.

How identity verification works

Individuals may verify through an available Companies House route or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), subject to the applicable eligibility and document requirements.

Successful verification produces a Companies House personal code.

That code connects the individual’s verified identity to the relevant company role.

PSC verification deadlines

PSCs have separate requirements for providing their identity-verification information.

Every PSC has an applicable 14-day period for providing their Companies House personal code. The dates depend on their circumstances, including when they became a PSC and whether they are also a director.

A person who holds both director and PSC roles may need to provide the same personal code separately for each role.

The relevant deadline should be checked against the current Companies House instructions for the individual concerned.

Official references:

Seven Oak Prestige can assist clients with understanding and coordinating the identity-verification process.

Seven Oak Prestige is not an ACSP and does not claim to perform statutory identity verification in that capacity.

7. Step-by-Step: Establishing a UK Subsidiary for a Chinese Company

The most effective approach is to establish the ownership, investment and operational requirements before submitting the UK incorporation application.

Step 1 — Define the subsidiary’s commercial purpose

Determine what the UK company will actually do.

Will it import goods, hold stock, sign customer contracts, employ people or provide services?

The answer affects the company’s tax, banking and compliance arrangements.

Step 2 — Confirm the corporate ownership structure

Establish the Chinese parent company’s legal details, intended shareholding and supporting documentation.

Identify the proposed directors and determine the applicable ownership and control disclosures.

Step 3 — Assess Chinese outbound-investment requirements

The parent should obtain appropriate advice on its ODI and funding obligations.

This assessment should inform the intended investment structure and timetable.

Step 4 — Prepare the UK incorporation information

Confirm the company name, Registered Office, registered email address, business activities, directors, share structure and applicable PSC information.

Step 5 — Complete identity verification and provider onboarding

The proposed directors must complete the required Companies House verification.

The service provider must also complete its applicable KYC and compliance checks.

Step 6 — Submit the incorporation application

Once the required information is complete, the application can be submitted to Companies House.

A valid standard digital application is usually processed within approximately 24 hours, although processing times are not guaranteed.

Foreign corporate-document preparation, identity verification and compliance checks may extend the overall timetable.

Step 7 — Establish funding and banking arrangements

Following incorporation, the parent must address the practical arrangements for funding the subsidiary and applying for suitable financial services.

Incorporation does not guarantee lawful remittance from China or financial-provider approval.

Step 8 — Prepare for UK operations

The subsidiary should establish the registrations, accounting processes, contracts and compliance arrangements relevant to its activities.

That guide explains the general incorporation process in greater depth. This China-specific article focuses on the additional corporate ownership, ODI and funding considerations.

8. How Much Does It Cost to Establish a UK Subsidiary in 2026?

The total cost depends on the corporate structure and services required.

A standard company registration should not be confused with the complete cost of establishing and operating an international subsidiary.

Companies House fees

As of October 2026:

Standard digital incorporation: £100

Digital confirmation statement: £50

The £50 digital confirmation statement fee is payable with the first filing within each relevant 12-month payment period. It is not a charge limited to the company’s first-ever confirmation statement.

These are statutory Companies House fees.

Official reference: Companies House — Current Filing Fees.

Seven Oak Prestige formation support

Seven Oak Prestige’s standard UK company formation packages start from £199, including the standard Companies House incorporation filing fee within the published package scope.

This is a starting price for a defined standard service, not a confirmed all-inclusive quotation for every Chinese corporate-owned subsidiary.

A Chinese corporate parent may require additional services depending on its ownership structure, documents, compliance requirements and proposed operations.

The applicable package, any additional corporate requirements and ongoing costs should be confirmed before engagement.

Additional costs to consider

Depending on the circumstances, a Chinese parent may also need:

Registered Office and Director Service Address services.
Corporate-document preparation or translation.
Additional identity-verification assistance.
China-side investment and legal advice.
UK bookkeeping, statutory accounts and Corporation Tax compliance.
VAT or EORI assistance.
Payroll administration.
Banking-readiness support.
Specialist cross-border tax or legal advice.

Annual maintenance costs depend on the subsidiary’s activities, accounting complexity and required services.

A standard incorporation package is not a complete first-year operating budget.

9. Can a Chinese-Owned UK Subsidiary Open a Business Bank Account?

A UK subsidiary owned by a mainland Chinese company can apply for a suitable business bank or payment account.

However, acceptance is not guaranteed.

Banks and electronic money institutions assess applications according to their own eligibility, risk and compliance requirements.

For a Chinese corporate-owned subsidiary, a provider may request:

Chinese parent company and ownership-chain information.
Director and ultimate beneficial-owner details.
The proposed UK business activities.
Expected customers and suppliers.
Source of funds and intended capital contributions.
Forecast transaction volumes and currencies.
Information about the relationship between the subsidiary and parent.
Supporting business and operational documentation.

Some providers may impose restrictions based on ownership, residence, business sector or transaction jurisdictions.

A bank account and an electronic money account are not necessarily the same product. Their regulatory arrangements and protections may differ.

Prepare the banking case before applying

A Chinese parent should be able to explain why the UK subsidiary is being established, what it will do, how it will receive funds and how it expects to trade.

A credible business explanation and consistent supporting documents are important.

Seven Oak Prestige can assist with banking readiness and application preparation within an agreed scope.

The final decision remains with the financial institution.

10. UK Corporation Tax, VAT and Customs Considerations

A UK subsidiary normally has its own UK tax and reporting responsibilities.

The exact obligations depend on its activities and circumstances.

Corporation Tax

For the financial year beginning 1 April 2026, the UK main Corporation Tax rate is 25%.

The small-profits rate is 19% for qualifying companies.

Marginal Relief may apply between the relevant profit thresholds.

The standard thresholds are £50,000 and £250,000, but associated-company rules and other conditions can affect their application.

Companies outside the UK may count as associated companies for these purposes. A Chinese-owned subsidiary should therefore assess its wider group structure before applying the standard Corporation Tax profit thresholds.

The relevant assessment can depend on control relationships, the accounting period and other statutory conditions.

Official reference: HMRC — Corporation Tax Rates and Allowances.

Intercompany transactions

Transactions between the Chinese parent and UK subsidiary may include goods, management services, intellectual-property licences, intercompany loans and shared expenses.

These arrangements should be documented and accounted for appropriately.

UK transfer-pricing rules, exemptions and other tax considerations depend on the relevant facts.

Specialist advice may be necessary where material cross-border transactions are expected.

VAT and imports

The general UK VAT registration threshold is £90,000 of taxable turnover.

However, registration requirements depend on the nature of the supplies and the company’s circumstances. Special rules can apply to non-established taxable persons.

A UK incorporation certificate or Registered Office does not, by itself, determine VAT establishment status.

Official references:

Where the subsidiary will import goods, the group should identify the importer, customs responsibilities and any applicable EORI, product safety or sector-specific requirements.

Official reference: GOV.UK — Get an EORI Number.

UK employees

A subsidiary employing UK staff may need PAYE registration, payroll administration, employment contracts, pension arrangements and other employment compliance.

Company incorporation does not automatically grant immigration or work permission to Chinese directors or employees.

11. Accounting and Reporting to the Chinese Parent Company

A UK subsidiary is a separate legal entity, even where its shares are wholly owned by the Chinese parent.

It must meet its own applicable statutory accounts, Corporation Tax and Companies House filing obligations.

The parent may also require financial information for its group accounts and internal reporting.

These responsibilities should be coordinated but not confused.

Before trading, the group should decide:

Who will maintain the UK bookkeeping records?
How will intercompany transactions be recorded?
What reporting information will the Chinese parent require?
Who will prepare UK statutory accounts and tax returns?
How will filing deadlines be monitored?

Inventory, multiple currencies, intercompany funding and UK payroll may increase the accounting workload.

That guide explains the continuing UK accounting and statutory obligations in greater depth, including group reporting, tax deadlines and intercompany transactions.

12. Common Mistakes Chinese Parent Companies Should Avoid

Registering the shares under the wrong owner

If the Chinese parent is intended to own the UK subsidiary, the shareholding should accurately reflect that arrangement.

Personal ownership by a director is a different structure.

Assuming UK incorporation completes the ODI process

UK registration does not establish compliance with applicable Chinese outbound-investment rules.

Assuming capital can be transferred immediately

Investment remittance may require separate banking, documentation and foreign-exchange procedures.

Treating a Registered Office as an operating establishment

A statutory address does not automatically provide employees, premises, warehousing or genuine business operations.

Applying for banking without a clear business model

Financial institutions may require a coherent explanation of the company’s activities, ownership and funding.

Overlooking intercompany accounting

Transactions between the Chinese parent and UK subsidiary may require appropriate documentation, reconciliation and tax analysis.

Underestimating continuing obligations

A UK subsidiary may have statutory filing responsibilities even where it has not yet generated substantial revenue.

The central principle is to assess the ownership, investment and operating model before treating incorporation as a complete market-entry solution.

13. What Should a Chinese Parent Prepare Before Incorporation?

An established Chinese business should be able to answer the following questions before proceeding.

Corporate structure

Who will legally own the UK company? Is the proposed shareholder a mainland Chinese company, another group entity or an individual?

Commercial purpose

Will the UK subsidiary import products, sell to customers, employ staff, provide services or perform another defined function?

Investment and funding

Has the parent assessed the applicable China-side outbound-investment requirements? How does it intend to fund the UK operation?

UK management

Who will serve as directors, and who will be responsible for managing the company’s statutory obligations?

Operational requirements

Will the subsidiary need banking, VAT, EORI, payroll, inventory management or other specialist support?

Financial planning

What are the forecast annual turnover and monthly transaction volume? Will the subsidiary have intercompany transactions with the Chinese parent?

These questions help determine the appropriate formation and ongoing compliance arrangements.

They do not all need to be answered in the first enquiry.

14. How Seven Oak Prestige Supports Chinese Companies

Seven Oak Prestige Ltd assists overseas businesses with UK company formation and related corporate administration.

For mainland Chinese corporate parents, the appropriate starting point is to understand the proposed ownership and UK business activity before recommending a service package.

Depending on the agreed scope, support may include:

UK subsidiary formation preparation.
Corporate shareholder documentation coordination.
Registered Office and Director Service Address arrangements.
Companies House identity-verification assistance.
KYC and compliance-document preparation.
Banking-readiness assistance.
VAT and EORI registration assistance.
Ongoing statutory compliance coordination.
Accounting and tax compliance coordination with appropriate professional partners.

Where the project involves Chinese outbound-investment approvals, foreign-exchange matters, complex tax arrangements or specialist legal issues, appropriately qualified professional advisers may be required.

Seven Oak Prestige does not guarantee bank-account approval, Chinese regulatory approval or third-party verification outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Chinese company own 100% of a UK limited company?

Yes. A mainland Chinese company can generally own all the shares in a UK private limited company. The ownership structure must be recorded accurately, and the UK company must comply with applicable registration and control-disclosure requirements.

Does the Chinese parent need a UK-resident director?

An ordinary UK private limited company does not generally require a UK-resident director. The proposed directors must meet the applicable legal and identity-verification requirements.

Can the UK subsidiary be incorporated remotely?

UK incorporation can generally be arranged remotely. However, corporate documentation, identity verification and provider onboarding must be completed. Chinese outbound-investment requirements should be assessed separately.

Does every Chinese company need ODI approval before establishing a UK subsidiary?

Not every investment follows the same procedure. The applicable Chinese requirements depend on the investor, project, sector and investment structure. The parent should obtain appropriate China-side advice.

Can the Chinese parent transfer money immediately after UK incorporation?

Not necessarily. The parent must comply with applicable Chinese investment, foreign-exchange and banking requirements. A UK Certificate of Incorporation does not itself authorise a capital transfer.

Is a UK subsidiary different from a UK branch?

Yes. A UK subsidiary is a separate legal entity. A branch remains part of the overseas company. The appropriate structure depends on the business’s objectives and circumstances.

How long does UK subsidiary formation take?

Companies House usually processes standard digital incorporation applications within approximately 24 hours once a valid application is submitted. Corporate-document preparation, identity verification and compliance checks may extend the overall timeline.

What is the Companies House incorporation fee in October 2026?

The standard digital incorporation fee is £100. Additional professional services and operational costs are separate.

Can a Chinese-owned UK subsidiary open a UK business account?

It can apply, but approval depends on the provider’s requirements. Ownership, business activities, source of funds and expected transactions may be assessed.

Does a Chinese-owned UK subsidiary need an accountant?

There is no universal requirement to appoint an external accountant simply because the company has been incorporated. However, it must comply with applicable accounting and tax obligations. Professional support may be particularly useful where intercompany transactions, imports, payroll or group reporting are involved.

Can Seven Oak Prestige assist with a mainland Chinese corporate shareholder?

Yes. Seven Oak Prestige can assess the proposed UK-side formation requirements and coordinate appropriate services within an agreed scope. China-side investment and specialist legal or tax matters must be addressed separately where applicable.

Planning a UK Subsidiary for Your Chinese Company?

Seven Oak Prestige assists overseas businesses with UK subsidiary formation, corporate documentation preparation and ongoing compliance coordination.

To help us assess your requirements, please tell us:

Parent company: Is your business registered in mainland China?
UK activity: What will the proposed UK subsidiary do?
Ownership: Will the Chinese parent own 100% of the UK shares?

Our Client Advisory Team will review the information and confirm the appropriate next step.

Discuss Your UK Subsidiary Requirements

About the Author

Isaac Jackson
Founder & Managing Director — Seven Oak Prestige Ltd

Isaac Jackson supports international founders and overseas businesses with UK company establishment, corporate ownership preparation, Companies House processes, statutory-address arrangements, compliance coordination and banking readiness.

His work focuses on the practical requirements of establishing and maintaining UK corporate structures from overseas.

Editorial Methodology

Last reviewed: 10 October 2026

This guide was prepared with reference to official Chinese government legislation, Companies House guidance and HMRC publications relevant to UK subsidiary formation, ownership, identity verification, Corporation Tax and VAT.

It distinguishes general statutory requirements from matters requiring assessment of the parent company’s particular investment structure, business activities and jurisdictions.

Important Information

This article provides general information about UK subsidiary formation for mainland Chinese companies.

It is not personalised UK or Chinese legal, tax, accounting, investment, foreign-exchange or regulatory advice.

The appropriate structure and requirements depend on the parent company’s ownership, proposed investment, activities and applicable rules. Specialist professional advice should be obtained where necessary.

UK Subsidiary for Chinese Companies: Setup Guide (2026)