Expanding In China: Setting Up A Branch Office
E-Learning | Masterclass

Branch offices are a popular vehicle for quickly expanding business operations in China, offering formal market presence with relatively low setup requirements and straightforward maintenance. In this masterclass, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the key types of branch offices, along with a step-by-step overview of the establishment process, including indicative timelines and required documentation.
You’ll explore how to define an appropriate business scope for both the China-based parent company and its branches, as well as considerations around the parent company’s subscribed capital. The course also addresses practical factors related to localization of the branch office.
From an operational perspective, you will learn about the roles and responsibilities of representatives at both the parent company and branch level, the management of company seals, and the accounting and tax frameworks applicable to each type of branch office. Additionally, the course provides insights into the commercial functions that different branch office types are permitted to undertake in relation to signing and executing contracts.
Who should join?
This masterclass is ideal for executives, legal and compliance professionals, expansion strategists, and business development leads who are exploring methods to establish or grow a permanent presence in China. It fits anyone who wants to understand how branch offices operate, the regulatory and operational requirements involved, and how to expand in China efficiently.
100% Online delivery
The masterclass is designed to be completed fully online enabling students to continue working during the course.
Literature
The masterclass covers all literature essential to acquiring the fundamental knowledge for performing investment and setting up a branch office in China.
Duration
The standard duration of the course is 2 weeks based on an average time commitment of 4-5 hours per week.
Objectives
- Learn how to accelerate the expansion of your organization and business operations in mainland China by setting up Branch Offices.
- Gain in-depth insights in the main considerations to be made when deciding to set up a China-based Branch Office, and develop an understanding of the advantages and limitations of expanding your organization in China utilizing branch offices compared to establishing a subsidiary company.
- Become knowledgeable about the similarities and differences of roles and responsibilities representatives at both the China-based parent company and the Branch Office fulfill within the group.
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: Setting Up a Branch Office
Companies consider branch offices as a popular investment vehicle for fast expansion of their business operations throughout China.
A formal representation will be established, in combination with comparable low incorporation requirements easy maintenance. In this course you will develop a deep understanding of the main characteristics of the types of branch offices, followed by an explanatory of the establishment process including indicative timeline and documentation requirements.
Unit 3: Maintenance of a Branch Office
Companies consider branch offices as a popular investment vehicle for fast expansion of their business operations throughout China.
A formal representation will be established, in combination with comparable low incorporation requirements easy maintenance. In this course you will develop a deep understanding of the main characteristics of the types of branch offices, followed by an explanatory of the establishment process including indicative timeline and documentation requirements.
No specific prior education or knowledge is required to be admitted to this course. Completion of the course “Navigating China’s Foreign Investment Landscape” is recommended for a better understanding of how investments into mainland China are structured.
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 Expanding in China: Setting up a Branch Office is part of the certificate course Establishing Permanent Business Presence 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 entire course 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 to develop a better understanding how to expand business operations in China via the establishment of branch offices, which can be directly applied in your professional work environment.