Published by ChinaMNC · Xuzhou

How Foreign Founders in Sichuan Can Access Government Information: A Guide to Open Government Rules

A practical guide for foreign founders on how to request and obtain government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office, based on the official government information disclosure guide.

Accessing Government Information in Sichuan: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

For foreign entrepreneurs establishing or operating a company in Sichuan Province, understanding how to obtain government information is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office have published a guide on government information disclosure, detailing the procedures for both proactive disclosure and upon-request access. This article summarizes the key points from that guide, tailored for foreign founders.

Proactive Disclosure: Information Available Without Request

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively discloses a wide range of information in accordance with the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information (State Council Order No. 711). This information is made available through multiple channels, including the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette, the provincial government portal website, official social media accounts (such as “四川发布” on Sina Weibo and WeChat, and the “四川省人民政府网站” Toutiao account), press conferences, and other media like radio, television, and newspapers. Additionally, government information can be accessed at designated locations such as the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library.

The types of proactively disclosed information include:

Leadership and structure: Provincial government leaders and their divisions of work, the setup of government agencies, main responsibilities, and work rules.
Regulations and normative documents: Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its General Office.
Work reports and meetings: Provincial government work reports, important meetings, and information on leaders' attendance at significant official activities.
Planning and statistics: National economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, related policies, and statistical information.
Administrative matters: Administrative licensing, penalties, compulsory measures, and other external management service items.
Financial information: Fiscal budgets and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fees.
Major projects: Approval and implementation status of major construction projects.
Livelihood issues: Policies and measures on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, employment promotion, and their implementation; emergency plans, early warnings, and responses to public emergencies; supervision and inspection of environmental protection, public health, work safety, food and drug safety, and product quality.
Personnel matters: Personnel appointments and removals, and civil servant recruitment.
Other information: As required by laws, regulations, and relevant national provisions.

Proactively disclosed information is made public within 20 working days from the date of its formation or change, unless otherwise provided by laws or regulations.

Requesting Information: Procedures for Foreign Founders

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file a request for government information disclosure with the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. The General Office is the designated recipient for such requests, and the Provincial Government Information Disclosure Office handles the specific matters.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Agency

Before submitting a request, determine which agency holds the information. You can visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government portal website and click on “Institutional Functions” to learn about the responsibilities and setup of provincial administrative agencies. Then, based on the type of information, submit your request to the appropriate agency through its designated channels. For example:

For information on major construction project approvals and feasibility study reports, apply to the Development and Reform Department.
For information on collective land expropriation, apply to the Natural Resources Department.
For information on state-owned land housing expropriation and compensation, and shantytown renovation, apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

Step 2: Submit Your Request

Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or online:

In person: Visit the government information disclosure request reception point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center to obtain and fill out the “Government Information Disclosure Application Form” (the Form) and submit it on the spot. Bring a valid ID.
By mail: Send the completed Form along with a copy of your valid ID to the designated address.
Online: Register and log in to the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network, complete identity verification, and submit your request online. You can track the progress online.

The Form can be obtained at the reception point or downloaded from the provincial government portal website. Copies are valid. For online requests, fill out the form electronically.

Step 3: Provide Clear Details

Describe the information you need clearly and specifically. It is recommended to provide the name, document number, or other characteristic descriptions that will help the agency locate the information. If your request is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and may ask you to supplement it within 7 working days. If you fail to supplement without justification, your request may be considered abandoned.

Step 4: Processing and Response

The agency will respond within 20 working days from receipt of your request. If an extension is needed, they will inform you in writing, and the extension will not exceed 20 working days. The time required to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted in the processing period. If your request is for information that is already publicly available, they may direct you to the source. If the information is not within their responsibility, they will inform you and, if possible, provide the name and contact of the responsible agency. If the request is repetitive, they may decline to process it again. For information such as business registration or real estate registration, special laws and regulations may apply, and you will be guided accordingly.

Fees and Appeals

According to the Regulations, fees for information processing may be charged in accordance with the “Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure” (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial rules. If you believe your rights are infringed, you can complain to the higher-level administrative agency or the competent department for government information disclosure, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

Practical Tips for Foreign Founders

Check proactive disclosure first: Many common documents, such as regulations, plans, and statistics, are already available online, saving you time.
Use the right channels: For matters like petitions, complaints, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, the 12345 online message board, or disciplinary reporting, rather than information disclosure requests.
Be specific: Clearly state the information you need to avoid delays.
Keep records: Save copies of your requests and responses for your files.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.