Published by ChinaMNC · Luohu

China Signals Wider Market Access at 140th Canton Fair: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

Premier Li Qiang's remarks at the 140th Canton Fair underline China's commitment to opening its market, lowering entry barriers, and welcoming foreign investment. For international founders, this means potential opportunities in company registration, market access, and trade. Here's a practical breakdown of what the speech implies for setting up and running a business in China.

What the 140th Canton Fair Means for Your China Business

The 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), held in Guangzhou on October 14, 2026, marked the event's 70th anniversary. Premier Li Qiang's opening speech reinforced China's direction on trade and investment. For foreign founders, the key takeaways relate to market access, investment permissions, and the overall business environment—issues that directly affect company registration and operations in China.

While the speech did not announce specific new regulations, it signaled policy priorities that can inform your China market entry strategy. Below, we break down the practical implications for international entrepreneurs.

1. Market Access and Investment Climate

Premier Li emphasized that China will further lower market access thresholds and welcome more foreign enterprises to invest and operate in the country. This aligns with ongoing efforts to expand the negative list approach and open more sectors to foreign investment.

What it means for registration: If you are considering setting up a company in China, keep an eye on sector-specific restrictions. The negative list for foreign investment specifies areas where foreign ownership is limited or prohibited. The speech suggests a continued trend toward reducing such restrictions, but you must still verify whether your industry is on the negative list. For most manufacturing, trading, and service sectors, foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) can be established with relative ease, but restricted sectors may require special approvals or joint ventures.

2. Expanding Imports and Trade Opportunities

Li noted China's role as both a "super seller" and "super buyer," and expressed willingness to import more high-quality and high-value-added products. He also encouraged other countries to ease restrictions and promote balanced trade.

What it means for registration: If your business involves importing goods into China, you may find growing demand for premium foreign products. To import legally, you will typically need a Chinese entity with import-export rights, which can be obtained during company registration or added later. The registration process involves defining your business scope to include import/export activities and obtaining the necessary licenses from customs and commerce authorities. The speech's tone suggests continued support for import businesses, but specific procedures remain unchanged.

3. Investment Opportunities and Outbound Expansion

The Premier mentioned support for capable Chinese companies to invest overseas in an orderly manner. While this is primarily about outbound investment, it also indicates a broader openness to two-way investment flows.

What it means for registration: For foreign founders, this could mean more opportunities for joint ventures or partnerships with Chinese firms looking to expand globally. When registering a company in China, you might consider structuring it to facilitate such collaborations. However, the registration requirements for FIEs remain the same: you need to determine the appropriate entity type (e.g., wholly foreign-owned enterprise, joint venture, or representative office), prepare articles of association, and submit to the market regulation authority.

4. WTO and International Trade Rules

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a video address, highlighted China's development achievements and the Canton Fair as a platform connecting China with the world. She called for joint efforts to reform the WTO and maintain an open, rules-based trading system.

What it means for registration: China's commitment to multilateral trade rules provides a predictable framework for foreign businesses. When registering your company, you can rely on established legal procedures and timelines. However, it's essential to stay informed about any changes in trade policies that might affect your business scope or licensing requirements. The registration process itself is governed by domestic law, not WTO rules, but the overall stability of the trade environment reduces regulatory uncertainty.

5. Practical Steps for Company Registration in China

Based on the speech's emphasis on openness and investment, here are practical considerations for foreign founders:

• Entity choice: Decide between a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), joint venture (JV), or representative office (RO). A WFOE is common for most foreign investors seeking full control. A JV may be required in restricted sectors. An RO is limited to liaison activities and cannot generate revenue.
• Registration steps: Typically include name pre-approval, obtaining a business license from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), carving seals, opening a bank account, and completing tax and customs registration. The process usually takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the sector and location.
• Documents: Prepare notarized and apostilled (or consular legalized) incorporation documents, passport copies of legal representatives, proof of address, and investment plan. Articles of association must comply with Chinese company law.
• Capital: China has largely abolished minimum registered capital requirements for most companies, but you must commit to a capital contribution schedule. Some sectors (e.g., banking, insurance) still have capital thresholds.
• Tax and compliance: After registration, you must register with tax authorities, comply with accounting and audit requirements, and file annual reports. Foreign-invested enterprises are subject to corporate income tax (typically 25%) and other taxes like VAT. Tax incentives exist for certain industries and regions (e.g., high-tech zones).

While the speech did not introduce new registration procedures, the reaffirmed commitment to opening up suggests a continued focus on simplifying foreign investment processes. For instance, the foreign investment law implemented in 2020 streamlined establishment procedures and strengthened protection for foreign investors.

6. What the Canton Fair Itself Offers

The 140th Canton Fair attracted over 30,000 exhibitors and approximately 340,000 overseas buyers. For foreign founders, the fair is not just a sourcing platform but also a networking opportunity to connect with potential partners, suppliers, and local authorities. Attending can provide on-the-ground insights into market trends and help validate your business idea before committing to registration.

However, the fair is a temporary event; it does not directly facilitate company registration. But the contacts and market intelligence gained can be invaluable for your China strategy.

Conclusion: A Supportive but Unchanged Regulatory Landscape

Premier Li's speech at the 140th Canton Fair underscores China's ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment and expand market access. For international founders, this means a welcoming environment for company registration, provided you navigate the existing legal framework. The core requirements—entity selection, documentation, capital, and compliance—remain consistent. The speech's emphasis on lowering barriers and welcoming foreign enterprises may lead to further simplifications in the future, but for now, thorough preparation and local guidance are essential.

If you are ready to take the next step, consider consulting with professionals who specialize in foreign company registration in China to ensure a smooth process.

Call to action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.