How to Check HK Company Annual Reports? The Process Is Actually Simple!

How to Access Annual Reports of Hong Kong Companies

Do you know how to check the annual reports of Hong Kong companies? The process is actually quite straightforward! As business cooperation becomes increasingly frequent across borders, understanding a company’s operational status, credit history, and financial health has become more important than ever. For businesses or individuals collaborating with Hong Kong companies, accessing their public information not only helps assess risks but also supports informed decision-making. One key source of such information is the company's annual report.

1. Why Are Annual Reports Important?

According to Chapter 622 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, all privately incorporated limited companies are required to submit an Annual Return and audited financial statements to the Companies Registry each year. These documents typically include shareholder structure, director details, changes in registered capital, balance sheets, and income statements.

Recently, as cross-border investment and trade activities have gradually rebounded, many mainland Chinese enterprises have started paying renewed attention to potential collaborations with Hong Kong companies. According to data released by the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong SAR, GDP growth in the first quarter of 2025 reached 2.7% year-on-year, with particularly notable growth in foreign trade. This trend has prompted more investors to seek a deeper understanding of the actual operations of potential partners. Annual reports serve as one of the most important channels for obtaining this kind of information.

2. How to Access Annual Reports of Hong Kong Companies

Although Hong Kong’s company registration system is highly transparent, it doesn’t mean that all documents are freely accessible to the public. To legally and accurately obtain relevant information, there are typically the following methods

1 Online Inquiry via the Companies Registry CR

The Hong Kong Companies Registry offers an online service platform called CR e-Services, through which the public can access certain publicly available information. By entering a company name or registration number, users can view basic registration details, whether the company is still active, and if it has submitted its annual return on time.

However, it should be noted that the registry does not provide full annual reports directly. If your goal is simply to verify whether a company has fulfilled its legal reporting obligations, this method may suffice. However, for detailed financial data, alternative approaches are necessary.

2 Use Third-Party Commercial Information Platforms

With growing market demand, several professional commercial information platforms now offer services for checking overseas corporate information, including those based in Hong Kong. Platforms such as Tianyancha International and Qixinbao International allow users to search for historical annual reports, major shareholders, litigation records, and other valuable data by paying a fee.

These platforms often aggregate data from official databases, court announcements, and news reports. For example, in May 2025, a well-known e-commerce platform faced stock price fluctuations after being linked to a Hong Kong company with serious financial issues. Investigations later revealed that the company had repeatedly delayed submitting annual returns, and its reports indicated insolvency. A thorough due diligence check using these platforms before the collaboration could have potentially avoided such risks.

3 Engage Professional Agencies for Assistance

If you're unfamiliar with the inquiry process or require more detailed and authoritative information, you can also engage law firms, accounting firms, or business service agencies to assist you. These organizations usually have extensive experience and can provide additional legal advice or financial analysis. In specific situations, such as contract disputes, arbitration, or litigation, you may need to formally request further disclosure of information. In such cases, professional support is invaluable for protecting your interests.

3. Key Considerations During the Inquiry Process

Despite the availability of multiple methods for accessing annual reports, the following points should be kept in mind during the process

Verify Company Name and Registration Number

Due to possible similar or identical names, always confirm the exact English full name and registration number of the target company to avoid confusion.

Differentiate Between Private and Public Companies

Financial disclosures for private limited companies are more restricted compared to public companies, which must disclose information at a higher standard. When seeking complete financial statements, prioritize public companies.

Check Update Frequency

Annual reports are time-sensitive. It is recommended to review data from the past two years to ensure accurate assessment of current conditions.

Beware of False Information

Some platforms may contain outdated or incorrect data. Cross-checking across multiple sources ensures reliability and accuracy.

4. Conclusion

Accessing annual reports of Hong Kong companies is not complicated as long as you follow the correct procedures. Whether for business collaboration, investment decisions, or risk management, understanding the financial condition of a counterparty is an essential step. With the global economy gradually recovering, more people are turning their focus toward international markets. Learning how to efficiently and compliantly obtain enterprise information will undoubtedly become a vital skill.

In today’s fast-moving information age, having access to timely and accurate information means gaining a competitive edge. Now that you understand how to take the first step, you're ready to begin.