A. INTRODUCTION: Le 1 décembre 2011, la Chine a lancé une réforme pilote de son système de contrôle des changes pour le commerce international de marchandises dans les zones pilotes comprenant le Jiangsu, le Shandong, le Hubei, le Zhejiang (à l'exception de Ningbo), le Fujian (à l’exception de Xiamen), Dalian et Qingdao.

In this month’s China Brief from the American Chamber of Commerce in China, SJ Grand Communications Manager Paul Flynn outlines five key marketing strategies for foreign SMEs in China.

In the absence of large budgets and internal expertise, SMEs must approach their marketing strategies with a considered mix of resource allocation and technical outsourcing.

Full article available to download below.

De nombreuses sociétés étrangères cherchent à acquérir des sociétés chinoises pour accéder au marché chinois ou étendre leurs opérations en Chine. Il y a principalement deux catégories de fusion-acquisition en Chine: fusion-acquisition d’actions et fusion-acquisition d’actifs.

La Région Administrative Spéciale de Hong Kong est un centre d'affaires de renommée internationale qui offre une juridiction efficace et pérenne pour la création d'une entreprise en Asie. En outre, y enregistrer une société permet aux investisseurs étrangers d'accéder à l'immense marché de la Chine continentale. En effet, Hong Kong est considérée comme LE point d’entrée pour la Chine.

Many foreign companies are looking to acquire PRC companies to access the Chinese market or expand their Chinese operations. M&A activities in China are divided into two main categories: I) Equity M&A and; II) Asset M&A.

I. Equity M&A

This refers to a transaction where foreign investors purchase by agreement the shares of a Chinese domestic company or subscribe for an increased proportion of the shares in a domestic company.

China’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) and State Administration of Taxation (SAT) have released an update to the VAT reforms under the Shanghai pilot program. The announcement clarifies issues regarding the application of “zero VAT rate” and “VAT exemption”.

According to the guidance—Cai Shui [2011] No. 131 issued on Dec 20, 2011,the following VAT applicable services provided in pilot areas are subject to the zero VAT rate:

• From 1 January 2012 qualified businesses in Shanghai will be required to charge VAT following approval by the local tax bureau;
• Input VAT is creditable both for qualified pilot participants and their customers;
• Generally, the program follows existing VAT mechanisms;
• Two new VAT rates will be introduced, 6% and 11%, adding to the existing rates of 13% and 17%;
• Treatment of exports is yet to be determined but likely 0% or tax exempt;
• The first VAT return is due on 15 February 2012;