Is it illegal for a parent company to lend money to a subsidiary?

Legal analysis: Although the subsidiary is actually controlled by the parent company, it has independent legal personality, has its own company name and articles of association, and conducts business activities in its own name. A subsidiary shall bear civil liability independently with its own property and shall not be associated with the parent company. Unless the investor (that is, the shareholder of the subsidiary) makes false capital contribution or withdraws capital contribution, and the company's personality denies it, the creditor may not recover the unpaid part from the investor. The subsidiary is an independent legal person enterprise, and its external relations are completely independent. The investor is the parent company of the subsidiary. As two completely independent legal persons, the parent company can lend money to its subsidiaries. There is no rigid disclosure requirement, but it must be observed.

Legal basis: Article 16 of the Company Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), if a company invests in other enterprises or provides guarantees for others, according to the articles of association, the total amount of investment or guarantee and the amount of individual investment or guarantee shall be determined by the board of directors or the shareholders' meeting, and shall not exceed the prescribed limit.