Published by ChinaMNC · Nanxi

What Foreign Founders Need to Know About Sichuan's Government Information Disclosure Rules

A practical guide for international entrepreneurs on how Sichuan's government information disclosure system works and how to use it for company registration, permits, and compliance.

Why Sichuan's Transparency Rules Matter for Your China Company

If you're setting up a business in Sichuan, understanding how to access government information can save you time and help you stay compliant. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government has published a guide on government information disclosure, based on the national Regulation on Open Government Information (State Council Order No. 711). This guide explains what information is proactively published, how to request additional details, and what to expect during the process. For foreign founders, this is a valuable tool for navigating local regulations, permits, and policies that affect your company.

Proactively Disclosed Information: What You Can Find Without Asking

The provincial government automatically publishes a wide range of information that can help you understand the business environment and regulatory requirements. According to the guide, this includes:

• Government structure and responsibilities: Leadership profiles, organizational setup, main duties, and work rules of the provincial government.
• Regulations and normative documents: Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its General Office.
• Economic and social development plans: Provincial plans, special plans, regional plans, related policies, and statistical information.
• Administrative approvals and penalties: Information on administrative licensing, penalties, compulsory measures, and other external management services.
• Financial information: Budgets and final accounts, government procurement, and administrative fee information.
• Major construction projects: Approval and implementation status of significant projects.
• Key livelihood areas: Policies and implementation on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, employment promotion, emergency plans for public incidents, environmental protection, public health, work safety, and food/drug/product quality inspections.
• Personnel matters: Appointment and removal of provincial government personnel, civil servant recruitment.
• Other information required by laws and regulations.

This information is available through multiple channels: the provincial government gazette, the official website, social media accounts (Sina Weibo, WeChat, Toutiao), press conferences, and other media like radio, TV, and newspapers. Additionally, you can access information at the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library.

For foreign founders, this proactive disclosure means you can research many aspects of doing business in Sichuan without filing a request. For example, you can check administrative approval procedures, understand fees, and review policies in your industry.

How to Request Information That Isn't Publicly Available

If the information you need isn't proactively disclosed, you can file a request with the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. The guide outlines the process:

1. Identify the Right Authority

Before applying, determine which government body holds the information. The guide advises checking the organizational functions on the provincial government portal to understand the responsibilities of provincial departments. For instance:

• For major construction project approval, feasibility studies, etc., apply to the Development and Reform Commission.
• For collective land expropriation, apply to the Natural Resources Department.
• For state-owned land house expropriation and compensation, shantytown renovation, apply to the city or county government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

This step is crucial for foreign founders seeking specific permits or regulatory clarifications. Knowing the right authority speeds up the process.

2. Submit Your Application

The General Office accepts applications in three ways: in person, by mail, or online.

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

For in-person applications, bring your valid ID. For online applications, you must register and authenticate.

3. Fill Out the Application Form

The application form is available at the reception point or downloadable from the provincial government website. Copies are valid. Describe the information you need clearly, including the name, document number, or other characteristics that help identify it. If the description is unclear, the authority will provide guidance and may request a correction within 7 working days.

4. Processing and Response

Once a valid application is received, the authority will respond within 20 working days. If an extension is needed, they will inform you in writing, with a maximum extension of another 20 working days. The time taken to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted. If corrections are needed, the response period starts from when the corrected application is received.

The authority may provide the information in various forms, such as electronic data or by arranging for you to inspect or copy it. If providing in your requested format poses security risks or excessive costs, they may choose an alternative.

Note that the authority is not required to process or analyze existing information; they provide what they have. Also, if your request is clearly excessive in volume or frequency, they may ask for justification and may decline if unreasonable.

Fees and Legal Remedies

According to the guide, information processing fees may be charged in accordance with the national measures on information processing fees (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial regulations. If you believe your rights are infringed, you can complain to a higher authority, apply for administrative reconsideration, or file an administrative lawsuit.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Use proactive disclosure first: Before filing a request, check the provincial government website and other channels for information on business regulations, approvals, and policies. This can answer many questions quickly.
• Target the right agency: For specific permits or regulatory issues, identify the responsible department to avoid delays.
• Prepare clear requests: When requesting information, be as specific as possible to help authorities process your application efficiently.
• Leverage online tools: The online application system allows you to submit and track requests without visiting in person.
• Understand timelines: Responses typically take up to 20 working days, so plan accordingly.

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.