The UK continues to be an attractive destination for Chinese companies looking to expand into the UK, Europe and beyond.
Since the new UK government took office in July 2024, we have seen a clear shift in tone and strategy toward China – signalling a move away from the more confrontational stance of previous years.
While national security concerns remain a priority, there’s renewed interest in constructive economic engagement and practical cooperation, especially in trade, green technology, and investment.
What does this mean for Chinese businesses?
- A more stable political climate for investment decisions
- Improved diplomatic channels to resolve regulatory uncertainty
- Potential reopening of stalled dialogues on trade and tech cooperation
From a legal perspective, this reset is creating new opportunities — but also underlines the importance of compliance, governance, and sector-specific legal advice.
Chinese companies looking to enter or expand in the UK should carefully assess the new landscape — and ensure their strategy aligns with evolving legal and political frameworks.
Before you set up operations or make a strategic investment in the UK, it is essential to understand the basics of UK company law.
Here are ten key points every Chinese investor should know:
1️ Company Structures
In the UK, most investors choose a private company limited by shares. It’s similar to a Chinese 有限责任公司 (LLC), but with fewer restrictions on ownership and less government oversight once established.
2️ Director Requirements
Only one director is needed although a company can have a board of directors. Directors must be natural persons (ie a company cannot be a director) but there is not requirement that they must be resident in the UK. Unlike in China, there is no “legal representative” with unique authority; the director or directors act in accordance with the company’s constitutional documents.
3️ Shareholder Rules
Shareholding in a UK company can be 100% foreign-owned, with no investment approval or minimum capital (unlike the registered capital system in China). This offers a flexible entry model for Chinese investors.
4️ Ownership Transparency
UK companies must disclose their “person(s) with significant control” (PSC) — a concept with no exact equivalent in China. This level of public transparency may surprise some Chinese clients, but it is a core part of UK corporate regulation.
5️ Annual Reporting
Annual accounts and a confirmation statement must be filed publicly with Companies House. This contrasts with China’s reporting to the State Administration for Market Regulation, which is not always accessible to the public. UK companies must assume a higher degree of disclosure.
6️ Directors’ Duties
UK directors owe statutory fiduciary duties under the Companies Act 2006, including duties to act in good faith, avoid conflicts, and exercise care. These are similar to directors’ obligations under the PRC Company Law, but enforcement and interpretation will likely differ significantly.
7️ Tax Considerations
UK companies pay corporation tax on global profits. There’s no VAT-style “fapiao” system, but transfer pricing is strictly regulated – particularly for Chinese parent-subsidiary relationships. Scrutiny by HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs – the UK’s tax authority) can be rigorous.
8️ Employment Law
UK employment protections are broad and strictly enforced. Employee protections under UK employment law include (as you would probably expect) contracts, working time rules, and redundancy rights. Complying from day one is key. Compared to China’s labour contract regime, the UK has more flexibility in dismissing staff, but perhaps stronger rules on discrimination. Proper contracts are essential from day one.
9️ Sector-Specific Regulation
The National Security and Investment Act 2021 resembles elements of China’s Foreign Investment Law and security reviews. Chinese investors should assess early whether their target UK sector is likely to trigger notification or intervention.
10 Dispute Resolution & Contract Enforcement
English law is globally trusted, and UK courts offer a high level of independence and efficiency. Parties often opt for arbitration in London or court jurisdiction in England and Wales for certainty.
At Artington Legal, we can advise you on every stage of your UK journey – from incorporation to investment structuring and compliance. We make the process smooth and fully aligned with your commercial goals.
If your company is planning to enter the UK market in 2025, please get in touch. We would be happy to support your success.
#UKChinaBusiness #ForeignInvestment #UKLaw #ChineseInvestors #MarketEntry #CompanyLaw #LegalInsights #跨境投资 #英国法律
2025年中国投资者了解英国公司法须知
英国依然是中国企业拓展英国、欧洲乃至全球市场的重要目的地。
自2024年7月新一届英国政府上台以来，中英关系的基调和战略方向明显发生了变化——逐步摆脱过去几年较为对立的态势。
尽管国家安全依然是政策重点，但英国方面对与中国在贸易、绿色技术和投资领域展开务实合作表现出新的积极态度。
那么，这对中国企业意味着什么？
- 投资决策的政治环境更趋稳定
- 外交沟通渠道改善，有助于解决监管不确定性
- 停滞中的贸易和技术对话有望重新启动
从法律角度来看，这一关系重启带来了新的机遇，同时也凸显出合规管理、公司治理和行业法律咨询的重要性。
计划进入或扩展英国市场的中国企业，应全面评估当前形势，确保自身战略与不断演变的法律与政治框架保持一致。
在您设立英国运营实体或进行战略投资之前，了解英国公司法的基础规则至关重要。
以下是中国投资者应重点掌握的十个关键点：
1️ 公司类型
在英国，最常见的设立形式是“私人有限公司”（Private Company Limited by Shares)，与中国的“有限责任公司”类似，但在股东结构和政府监管方面更为灵活。
2️ 董事要求
公司最少只需任命一名自然人董事（法人实体不能担任董事），董事无须在英国居住。
不同于中国的“法定代表人”制度，英国董事根据公司章程集体行使权力，并无单一代表人专属的法定地位。
3️ 股东规定
英国公司可以100%外资持股，设立时无需审批，也无最低注册资本要求。
相较于中国的注册资本和外资审批制度，这种模式为中国企业提供了更为灵活的进入方式。
4️ 所有权透明度
英国公司必须披露**“实际控制人”（Person with Significant Control, PSC）**，此制度在中国暂无直接对应形式。
这种信息公开程度可能会令部分中国企业感到意外，但这是英国公司监管体系的重要组成部分。
5️ 年度申报
公司需向英国公司注册局（Companies House）公开提交年报及确认声明（公司基本信息的年度确认）。
相比之下，中国公司向市场监督管理局提交的年度报告通常不对公众开放。
因此，英国公司需承担更高的信息披露义务。
6 董事职责
根据《2006年公司法》，英国董事负有法定忠实义务，包括诚信、避免利益冲突、勤勉尽责等。
这些义务在中国《公司法》中也有体现，但其适用标准与执行力度存在显著差异。
7️ 税务考量
英国公司需就全球利润缴纳公司所得税。
虽然没有中国“增值税发票（发票）”制度，但转让定价监管非常严格，尤其是中英母子公司之间的交易。
英国税务机关（HMRC）对跨国安排的审查力度较高。
8️ 劳动法律
英国劳动法提供较全面的员工保护，涵盖劳动合同、工作时间、裁员程序等内容。
与中国相比，英国在员工解雇方面更具灵活性，但在反歧视和程序正义方面的要求更高。
建议从第一天起就签订合规的雇佣合同。
9️ 特定行业监管
《2021年国家安全与投资法》与中国《外商投资法》中关于安全审查的部分内容类似。
建议中国投资者在早期就评估拟进入的英国行业是否可能触发监管审批或政府干预。
10 合同争议解决与执行
英国法律体系在全球范围内享有高度信誉，法院独立性强、执行效率高。
许多国际商业合同选择适用英国法律，并约定伦敦仲裁或英格兰及威尔士法院具有专属管辖权，以确保法律确定性。
在 Artington Legal，我们为中国企业提供全方位的法律服务支持——从公司设立、投资结构设计到合规审查，助您顺利进入英国市场，实现商业目标。
📩 若贵公司计划于2025年进入英国市场，欢迎联系我们，我们将竭诚协助贵司成功落地。
