Companies in Hong Kong

Type of entity	Characteristics
Sole Proprietorship	The form of business activity conducted by one person. Within one month of the business commencing, the sole proprietorship is obliged to be registered in the Business Registration Office. The sole proprietor is liable for all the debts incurred in the business.
Partnership	A partnership is created when two or more investors join together to conduct business with a view of sharing profits. The partnership is not the legal body. The partnership is obliged to be registered in the Business Registration Office within a month after the business starting up. There are two types of partnerships in Hong Kong: General Partnership and Limited Partnership.
General Partnership:	In a General Partnership, every partner is jointly and severally liable for all debts, liabilities and obligations of the partnership as well as for the debt and liability of other partners that stem from business operations.
Limited Partnership:	A Limited Partnership must consist of both general and limited partners. General partners have unlimited liability for all debts and obligations of the partnership and limited partner’s liability is bounded by its contribution to the partnership.
Private company limited by shares	The most common type of business entity registered in Hong Kong. It is a separate legal entity. The liability of members is limited by the articles of association to the amount unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. Are not allowed to offer shares to the public.
Public company limited by shares	These types of companies are generally listed on the stock exchange and receive investments from the general public. The public company is required to file financial reports to the Inland Tax Revenue and the Companies Registry that allows the public to check the financial status of the company, while the private company is required to file financial reports to the Inland Tax Revenue only.
Company limited by guarantee	No share capital. The liability of members is limited by the articles of association to the amount that the members respectively undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of it being wound up. Non-profit-making organisations are usually registered as companies limited by guarantee.
Place of business	Created by a foreign company and is not a separate legal entity from the parent company.