Open a Joint Stock Company in China
Joint stock companies in China can be easily registered if you collaborate with one of our company formation specialists in matters of formalities.

Opening a stock company in China can be done with the help of our local agents. As this is established according to the provisions of the Corporate Laws of the People’s Republic of China, specialized support in the field is needed to benefit from a good start in business. In the following lines, you can discover some information about how this type of legal entity can be established, helped by our agents for opening a company in China.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Purposes of a joint stock company in China | A proper business option for: – large-scale projects, – company expansion, – raising capital, and many more |
Registration authority | Administration for Market Regulation (AMR) and its local agencies/offices |
Legislation | The Company Law of the People’s Republic of China |
| Legal personality | A joint stock company in China is an independent entity with legal personality. |
| Number of shareholders to open a JSC in China | At least 1 (1 to 200 promoters, more than half domiciled in China) |
| Legal representative to open a JSC in China | Recommended. Our specialists in company formation in China can represent entrepreneurs in opening JSCs in this country. |
| Minimum share capital | No general minimum (abolished in 2014, except in regulated sectors); promoters must pay their subscribed shares in full before establishment |
| Requirements for opening a JSC in China | – draft the Articles of Association & Memorandum of Organization, – get the certificate of name approval, – pay in full the share capital subscribed by the promoters, – appoint the management, etc. |
| Number of directors | Minimum 3 (a smaller JSC may have a single director instead of a board) |
| Management | board of shareholders/directors/supervisors as stated by the Company Law in China |
| Tax registration required | Yes, with support provided by our Chinese agents. |
| Audits for JSCs in China (YES/NO) | YES |
| Legal features of JSCs in China | – voting rights, – issuance & transfer of stocks, – disclosed audits, etc. |
| Can issue certificates of stock (YES/NO) | YES |
| Working with our company formation agents in China | For: – support in creating the company documents, – registering the entity with the relevant authorities, – obtaining the company seal, and many more. |
Key facts of JSC in China
When a joint stock company is the optimal business structure chosen for developing activities in China, entrepreneurs need to consider some interesting and important aspects. Here are some of them:
- There is no general minimum capital (abolished in 2014) and at least 1 promoter is needed to open a joint stock company in China.
- The securities regulator (CSRC) is involved only if the joint stock company offers shares to the public.
- Existing corporations are also accepted as shareholders of a JSC in China if approvals are issued in this sense.
- There are some requirements regarding the documents required to incorporate a joint stock company in China. These include the appointment documents of directors, senior managers, and supervisors, the legal certificates showing the registered address of the JSC in China, plus the resolutions of the general meeting of shareholders on the company in question.
Do you want to know more about how to register a JSC in China? We invite you to ask our team of agents for the information that interests you about opening a business in China. We offer personalized assistance and advice for local and foreign entrepreneurs who want to do business in this country and also this infographic:
What are the necessary documents for opening a joint stock company in China?
If you plan to open a joint stock company in China, you can count on the support of our company formation agents in China who can handle the preparation of the necessary documents. Among them, the following are solicited for the establishment of this structure:
- Articles of Association of the joint stock corporation in China, with information about the business activities, registered address, etc.;
- verification and registration of the company name in China;
- shareholders’ identification documents;
- documents certifying the appointment of managers and supervisors of a joint stock company in China;
- where shares are offered to the public, the CSRC registration documents;
- the resolution of the general meeting of shareholders is requested;
- legal certificates of the registered address of the joint stock company in China.
Once the above-mentioned documents are prepared, the process of registering a joint stock company in China can begin. We recommend the services offered by our local specialists to register this legal entity. Company formation in China comes to the attention of our agents with experience in the field.
What are the conditions for a JSC in China to be listed as a public company?
The listing conditions as a joint stock public company in China mainly refer to shares issued publicly if the offering has been reviewed by the stock exchange and registered with the CSRC (registration-based system since February 2023). Moreover, a total share capital of more than RMB 50 million is required. In addition, the company must have been registered for at least 3 years and have been profitable throughout this time. It should be noted that the authorities reserve the right in this case to verify the accounting balance sheets and all financial reports to ensure that there are no suspicions of fraud. Interested in learning more about how to list a joint stock company in China? We invite you to discover our services and learn more about this topic. Do not hesitate to ask for specialized support in this matter and to collaborate with one of our experts in company registration in China.
Benefits of joint stock companies in China
Joint stock companies in China have a legal personality and are independent from an economic point of view. On the other hand, public stocks can be issued to the society, and the shares can be legally transferred. Auditing reports of a joint stock company in China must be disclosed. Here, one of our accountants in China can help you in preparing the necessary documents for the audit and other similar procedures.
Facts about China’s economic direction
Below are some aspects of the Chinese economy that will help you when you want to set up a company in China:
- Around 5% was the economic growth registered by China in 2024.
- Q4 of 2024 recorded the biggest economic recovery in China due to varied stimulus measures, high-tech investments, and solid exports.
- About USD 18.80 trillion was China’s GDP in 2024.
- China is now the second largest economy in the world after the USA.
Do you want to benefit from the support of our specialists for opening a company in China? Contact us online or by phone if you want more details about company incorporation in China. We can guide you in opening a WOFE in China, one of the most popular business structures available.
Susie Hu, Consultant, Tannet Group Limited · 2 October 2026Susie Hu is a consultant with Tannet Group Limited, specialized in foreign investment in China.
