Published by ChinaMNC · Nanxi

A Foreign Founder's Guide to Accessing Sichuan Provincial Government Information

Practical guidance for foreign founders on how to access government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office, including proactive disclosure, application procedures, and key considerations.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, understanding local government regulations and procedures is essential. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government has published a guide on government information disclosure to help citizens, legal entities, and other organizations obtain official information. This article summarizes the key points from that guide, tailored for foreign founders who need to navigate government information channels in Sichuan.

Proactive Disclosure: Information Available Without Application

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively discloses certain information in accordance with the Regulations on Open Government Information (State Council Order No. 711). This information is made public without the need for a formal request. Key categories include:

• Leadership and structure: Provincial government leaders and their responsibilities, institutional setup, main functions, 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 major events.
• Planning and statistics: Provincial 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 services.
• Financial information: 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, and employment promotion; 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.

This information is typically published within 20 working days from its formation or change, unless otherwise provided by laws or regulations.

Channels for Accessing Proactively Disclosed Information

The government uses multiple channels to disseminate information, including:

• The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette
• The provincial government portal website
• Social media: "Sichuan Release" Sina Weibo, "Sichuan Release" WeChat public account, and "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account
• Provincial government press conferences
• Other media: radio, television, newspapers, etc.
• Additionally, information is available at the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library.

Foreign founders are encouraged to first check these channels before submitting a formal application.

Applying for Government Information

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can submit an application to the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. The following steps outline the process:

1. Identify the Correct Agency

Before applying, determine which agency holds the information. Visit the provincial government portal website and click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and setup of provincial administrative agencies. Then, submit your application to the appropriate agency through its designated channels. For example:

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

2. Submission Methods

The General Office accepts applications submitted in person, by mail, or online.

• In person: Visit the government information disclosure application reception point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center to obtain and fill out the Application Form.
• By mail: Send the completed Application Form along with a copy of your valid ID.
• Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network, complete identity verification, and submit your application online. You can track the progress of your application.

3. Tips for a Smooth Application

• Check proactively disclosed information first to avoid unnecessary applications.
• For matters related to petitions, complaints, reports, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary inspection reporting.
• Describe the information you need clearly and specifically, including the name, document number, or other identifying details.
• If your application is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and may request supplementation within 7 working days. Failure to supplement without justification may result in the application being abandoned.
• Applications exceeding a reasonable number or frequency may require justification. The agency may charge information processing fees according to regulations.

4. Processing Timeline

The agency will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the application. If an extension is needed, it will notify you in writing, and the extension will not exceed 20 working days. Time spent consulting third parties is not counted. If supplementation is required, the response period starts from the receipt of the supplemented application.

5. Possible Outcomes

The agency may provide the requested information, inform you of how to obtain it, or explain why it cannot be disclosed (e.g., if it is not within the agency's responsibility or if it involves third-party interests). If the information falls under special regulations (e.g., business registration, real estate registration), you will be directed to follow those regulations.

Additional Considerations

• The agency is not obligated to process or analyze existing information; it provides information as it is.
• Information may be provided in a specific format upon request, but if the requested format poses risks to the information carrier or incurs high costs, alternative formats may be used.
• If you believe your legal rights have been infringed in the information disclosure process, you can file a complaint with a higher-level agency or the competent department, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

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.