Zhongshan has started the recognition of headquarters enterprises for 2020. Previously-identified headquarters enterprises are also required to undergo qualification review.

All enterprises applying for headquarters enterprises shall meet the following basic conditions: headquarters enterprises are companies, enterprises, or organizations registered in Zhongshan and qualified as independent subjects, with typical headquarters functions such as decision-making management, administration, asset management, fund settlement management, and procurement management; or authorized by the head office (parent company) to undertake some headquarters functions such as sales, research and development, operation, and settlement in the head office (parent company) area (including but not limited to Zhongshan).

Enterprises that are recognized for the first time will fall into the categories of newly-introduced/newly-established headquarters enterprises and existing headquarters enterprises.

New and existing headquarters enterprises can be directly identified if they meet the following conditions: Domestic or overseas listed companies; Overseas enterprises which are listed indirectly overseas, controlled by companies in Zhongshan, and headquarters functions such as marketing and settlement are undertaken by enterprises in Zhongshan; Listed enterprises with headquarters functions such as marketing and settlement in Zhongshan possessing company lawyers; Central enterprises above the secondary company or regional headquarters; Enterprises in the list of the world's top 500 enterprises, China's top 500 enterprises, China's top 500 manufacturing enterprises, China's top 500 service enterprises, or Guangdong's top 100 private enterprises published last year.

The application of recognition will end on July 17, 2020.