How can you check if a company in China actually exists and is legit?

[master.on]

I heard something about looking up their address in Google maps, or looking their name in gov't business registration listings.

This is actually for a supplement chemical manufacturer.
Not for steroids or anything illegal.

 

[graciebjj]

Are they on Alibaba? I purchase wholesale equipment/textiles from vendors on Alibaba fairly often and there is often the option to pay for an inspection of the factory. I’ve never used it because I don’t really need to see what the facility in a rubber recycling operation looks like, but maybe that would suffice?