Database of Company Names will be Opened to the Public

For foreign investors which intend to newly establish a company in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and existing PRC companies which intend to change their company names, the first step is always to conduct a name pre-registration with the Administration for Industry and Commerce (“AIC”). In practice, when applicants make an onsite application for pre-registration of the company name, it often happens that they are informed by the competent AIC that the proposed names are not available since such names were already registered by other existing companies. Until now the applicants then had to submit a new application, which is time-consuming and not very efficient. 

On October 18, 2016, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued the Guiding Opinion on Opening the Corporate Name Database to Push Ahead with Corporate Name Registration Administration Reform in an Orderly Manner (“Guiding Opinion”). The Guiding Opinion aims at facilitating the registration of company names and improving registration efficiency. 

Please click the Source Link below to read the major content of the Guiding Opinion we summarise.