The basics
A company search often starts with a name, website, marketplace profile or business licence. The commercial question is more specific: does the contracting party match the registered entity, what ownership information is published, and are there inconsistencies or public signals that need follow-up?
Before work begins, the scope should identify the entity, your decision, the source categories to be reviewed, the proposed output and the limits of the review. Information that is unavailable or cannot be verified should be identified rather than assumed.
A registry or public-record check cannot guarantee future performance, product quality, payment security or recovery.
Who it is for
This service may be relevant to the following users.
For an acquisition, equity investment or joint venture, an initial company check may not be enough. Consider a transaction-specific China M&A due diligence scope.
Scope
A scoped review may cover the following categories:
Documents supplied for the engagement may be compared with available entity information. Unavailable or unverified items should be stated clearly.
How it works
Quick answer: an engagement runs in five steps, from the target’s identity to deciding on further diligence. Select a step for detail.
Stage 1 of 5
Send the target’s Chinese legal name, Unified Social Credit Code, business licence or storefront link.
Stage 2 of 5
Explain whether the check supports a payment, onboarding, credit, partnership or investment decision.
Stage 3 of 5
Confirm the proposed source categories, client-supplied information and scope limitations.
Stage 4 of 5
Agree the output, price basis and estimated timing in writing.
Stage 5 of 5
Decide whether any unresolved issue requires legal, technical, onsite or transaction due diligence.
No fixed package or universal turnaround is stated; price and estimated timing are confirmed after the scope is reviewed.
Levels of checking
Official records, a scoped commercial verification and deeper due diligence answer different questions.
Official public records can help confirm the registered entity and the fields made available by the relevant platform. Availability, coverage and update timing vary. A matching registry result does not establish that a counterparty will perform its obligations.
A scoped verification can organize available findings, identify the source and retrieval date, flag inconsistencies and record coverage limits. Relevant public judicial, enforcement or market-regulation records may be considered where available. The work should not imply access to a single proprietary government credit database.
Legal opinions, contract review, technical inspection, onsite verification and acquisition due diligence are separate workstreams. They should be considered when the transaction value, risk or decision cannot be addressed through a desk-based company check.
Scope and limits
The appropriate scope depends on the target identity, the decision being made, the source categories required and the proposed output. Request a scoped quote. Price and estimated timing should be confirmed after those inputs are reviewed; no fixed package or universal turnaround is stated on this page.
A registry or public-record check cannot guarantee future performance, product quality, payment security or recovery. The absence of a published court or enforcement record is not proof that a company is risk-free. Findings reflect the sources available at the relevant retrieval date, and additional diligence may still be needed.
For contract, dispute or legal-opinion needs, see China legal services.
Why Hongda
Scope the check to your decision, with one China-based service team.
Serving foreign companies in China since 2007, with client relationships that go back to 2008.
Company setup, banking, tax, payroll and work permits coordinated by one team.
English-language project management with a China-based team in seven locations.
We confirm the scope before work begins and say which decisions rest with authorities or banks.
Client voices
Travis Perkins
David Finch BA ACMA CMIIA CAMA
Director of Group Business Risk & Assurance, Travis Perkins PLC
With Hongda since 2008
Travis Perkins PLC (a leading builders merchant in the UK) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2008 for accounting and professional services. Throughout this time, we have found the team at Hongda to be very helpful and professional in their dealings with us. We look forward to working with the company in the future.
Sound United
Jack Peng
Vice President, Asia Pacific, Sound United
With Hongda since 2013
Sound United (a leading designer and manufacturer of consumer audio products in the US) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2013. Moving one’s operations to China is not a small task, but Hongda’s expert services helped us set up a company and deal with tax issues so we could get on with growing our business in no time at all, and that’s why we continue to use them today.
Tulip Pacific Ltd.
Erik de Waard
Director, Tulip Pacific Ltd.
With Hongda since 2012
Tulip Pacific Ltd. (Business planning and interim financial management services) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2012. Hongda has helped us set up legal entities in China/HK and takes care of our annual company audits. They are the most efficient business service provider I have worked with to-date, and their professional advice has helped me better advise my own clients and provide greater value to my overall business.
Your team
Meet the three chief consultants at Hongda, including founder Angel Ho and co-founder Bobby Lee.
Chief Consultant, CEO
Founder of Hongda in 2007. Holds Chinese Tax Agent, IPA (Australia) and IFA (UK) certificates. Provides one-stop services covering market access, company establishment, financial settlement, financial and tax consultation, and human resources management.
Chief Consultant
Co-founder of Hongda. Many years of corporate legal consultancy and involvement in managing client enterprises. Familiar with tax, personnel and project management work across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Excellent English communication skills.
Chief Consultant
24 years in enterprise management, business development, and financial and tax compliance. Has provided financial and tax advisory services for hundreds of companies. In-depth learning and practical experience in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and International Taxation.
Official public systems can help confirm the registered entity and available fields. A free lookup is not the same as a scoped commercial review that organizes available findings, identifies inconsistencies and records limitations.
Provide the Chinese legal name or Unified Social Credit Code if available. A business licence, website, marketplace page, contract, quotation or invoice may help resolve identity questions. Explain the decision the check is intended to support.
Public sources have coverage and access limits. No matching record should be treated as one finding, not proof that the company is safe.
No. Financial analysis depends on reliable information being lawfully supplied or available within the agreed scope. Unavailable or unverified items should be identified.
Timing and price depend on the approved scope, target identity, source categories and requested output. Confirm both in writing before the engagement begins.
No. It supports a risk decision based on available evidence within an agreed scope. It cannot predict future conduct or replace legal, technical or onsite diligence when those checks are needed.
Contact our team
Share your plans, structure and timing. We confirm the scope with you before any work starts.
