Published by ChinaMNC · Xindou

A Practical Guide to Sichuan Government Information Disclosure for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders operating in Sichuan can access government information through proactive disclosure and formal requests. This guide explains the channels, procedures, and timelines under the relevant regulations, helping you navigate transparency requirements efficiently.

Understanding Government Information Disclosure in Sichuan

For foreign founders establishing or running a company in Sichuan, access to government information is essential for compliance, planning, and due diligence. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government has published a guide detailing how citizens, legal entities, and other organizations can obtain government information. This article summarizes the key points from that guide, focusing on practical steps for foreign entrepreneurs.

The guide is based on the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Disclosure of Government Information (State Council Order No. 711). It aims to improve transparency, support law-based governance, and facilitate access to information that affects business and daily life.

Proactive Disclosure: Information Available Without Request

The provincial government proactively discloses certain categories of information. Foreign founders can use these resources to stay informed about policies, regulations, and administrative matters. Key categories include:

Leadership and structure: Profiles and division of responsibilities of provincial leaders, the setup and main functions of government agencies, and the provincial government's 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 public events.
Planning and statistics: Provincial economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, related policies, and statistical information.
Administrative actions: Administrative licensing, penalties, compulsory measures, and other external management services.
Financial information: Fiscal budgets and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fee information.
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 incidents; supervision and inspection of environmental protection, public health, work safety, food and drug safety, and product quality.
Personnel matters: Provincial government personnel appointments and removals, and civil servant recruitment.
Other information: Any other government information that laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national provisions require to be proactively disclosed.

Proactively disclosed information is made available within 20 working days from the date the information is formed or changed, unless otherwise provided by laws or regulations.

Where to Find Proactively Disclosed Information

Foreign founders can access this information through multiple channels:

The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette.
The official website of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government.
Social media accounts including "Sichuan Release" on Sina Weibo, the "Sichuan Release" WeChat public account, and the "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account.
Provincial government press conferences.
Other media such as radio, television, and newspapers.

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. These locations serve as information disclosure acceptance and inspection sites.

Requesting Information Not Proactively Disclosed

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file a request with the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. The following steps will help you navigate the process.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Agency

To ensure a smooth process, first determine which agency holds the information. Visit the provincial government portal, click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and structure of provincial agencies. Then, based on the type of information, submit your request to the appropriate agency through its designated channel and following its specific instructions.

For example:

For approval information and feasibility study reports of major construction projects, 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 where you are located.

Step 2: Submit Your Request

The General Office of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government accepts requests submitted in person, by mail, or online. The Provincial Government Information Disclosure Office handles the specifics.

In person: A request acceptance point is set up at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center. You can obtain the Government Information Disclosure Application Form on-site, fill it out, and submit it.
By mail: Send the completed application form along with a copy of your valid identification document.
Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network, log in, and submit your application online. You can select the application type, enter your details (such as name and ID number), and track the progress.

When applying, provide a clear and specific description of the information you need. Include the name, document number, or other characteristics that will help the agency locate the information.

Step 3: Understand the Processing

Once a request is received, the agency will process it according to established procedures. Key points include:

Clarification: 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 do so without justification, the request may be considered abandoned.
Response time: The agency will respond within 20 working days of receiving the request, unless an extension is granted. Extensions may be up to 20 working days and require written notification.
Fees: Information processing fees may be charged in accordance with the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (Guo Ban Han [2020] No. 109) and provincial regulations.

Additional Tips for Foreign Founders

Before filing a request, check the proactive disclosure channels to see if the information is already available.
For matters related to petitions, complaints, reports, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, the 12345 online message board, or disciplinary inspection reporting channels.
If you believe your lawful rights have been infringed in the information disclosure process, you may complain to a higher-level administrative agency or the competent department for government information disclosure, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit according to law.

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