Contracting Freelancers In China
E-Learning | Masterclass

People are one of any organization’s most valuable assets. In China, companies can meet their staffing needs through several avenues: directly hiring employees, using labor dispatch arrangements, or engaging freelance personnel.
This masterclass provides practical examples of key provisions that can be included in service contracts with freelancers, drafted in accordance with the PRC Contract Law and its implementing regulations. Each unit explores a specific contract provision and explains its purpose, legal implications, and practical significance. Additional background is provided to help place each clause in the broader regulatory and business context.
Who should join?
This masterclass is intended for HR, legal, and business professionals responsible for engaging freelance or contract personnel in China.
100% Online delivery
The course is designed to be completed fully online enabling students to continue working during the masterclass.
Literature
The masterclass covers all literature and reading materials essential to contracting and managing freelancers in China.
Duration
The standard duration of the course is 4 weeks based on an average time commitment of 4 hours per week.
Objectives
- In this course you will develop a deeper understanding of the considerations to be made when engaging freelance personnel.
- You will learn to translate law and regulations into business practice, utilizing examples of provisions which can be included in individual employment contracts drafted in accordance with the PRC Contract Law and its detailed implementation regulations.
- You will be provided with examples of provisions which are included in the service contract with freelancers, which are substantiated by additional information on the purpose of the provision, the meaning and implication of its content, and further information on the background to place the provision in a broader context.
- You will earn insights in the purpose and functioning of employment handbooks.
Unit 1: Introduction
The first unit provides an orientation to the course and the online learning environment. The unit does not carry credits. You are encouraged to go through the materials at their own pace to get accustomed to the online medium.
Unit 2: Parties to the Service Agreement
The second unit focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the parties signatory to the service agreement.
Unit 3: The Service Agreement
In the third unit the differences between a service relationship subject to the PRC Contract Law and an employment relationship subject to the PRC Labor Contract Law are explained.
Unit 4: Primary Terms and Conditions
Primary terms and conditions of the service agreement are discussed in unit 4.
Unit 5: Remuneration
Different modes of remuneration in the form of commission, standard fees and revenue sharing are discussed in unit 5.
Unit 6: Code of Conduct
The code of conduct refers to a set of standards and guidelines that define both ethical and business practices for (potential) suppliers and cooperation partners to adhere to if they wish to conduct business with a company.
Unit 7: Change, dissolution, and termination of the agreement
Service agreements are subject to the PRC Contract Law. In this section focus goes out to the provisions that can be included in the agreement related to change, dissolution, and termination of the agreement.
Unit 8: Liability for breach of the contract
In this section liability for breach of contract is discussed. In accordance with the PRC Contract Law, either party to the service agreement that fails to perform its obligations under the contract or fails to perform them as contracted shall bear the liability for breach of contract by continuing to perform the obligations, taking remedial measures, or compensating for losses.
Unit 9: Confidentiality
This section of the service agreement focuses on the confidential nature of information that will be provided for the execution of the services under this agreement. It specifies what is considered as confidential information and the measures that are required to undertake to ensure that the information provided will not be disclosed to other parties, as well as the measures to be taken to mitigate risk in the event the information gets disclosed.
Unit 10: Miscellaneous
This unit provides sample text of the most common miscellaneous provisions which parties can decide to include in the service agreement.
Unit 11: Signature Section
The last section of the course focuses on the requirements for appropriately signing and sealing of contracts, by organizations and individuals, by Chinese and foreign nationals to ensure legal validity.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out through a series of written assignments to be completed at the end of each unit.
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion is issued upon the successful completion of the course.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out through a series of written assignments to be completed at the end of each unit.
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion is issued upon the successful completion of the course.
Further study
The masterclass Contracting Freelancers in China is part of the certificate course Structuring Employment in China. Successful completion of the masterclass grants automatic eligibility for admission into the certificate course and confers a full pass for the corresponding module.
Tuition fee
Tuition fee for the masterclass is EUR 149 to be paid in advance.
The tuition fee includes all necessary literature and study materials, guidance and support during your studies, free extension of the study duration (if required), and 1:1 contact with your course professor.
Start date
Open enrollment applies to this course. You can start this course at a timing of your own convenience.
How we deliver value
Program Completion Benefits
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the course, you will earn a digital certificate of completion from the Institute of China Studies.
Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Institute of China Studies.

Contact us
Would you like more information about the course and the admission requirements? Then request a free study consultation. Of course, free of charge and without obligation. This way you will learn more about the content of the course, the teaching materials, and the online learning environment.

Enroll today
Enroll today and develop essential skills and insights about contracting freelancers in China, which can be directly applied in your professional work environment.