Published by ChinaMNC · Luhuo

How Foreign Founders Can Access Sichuan Government Information: A Practical Guide

A ChinaMNC guide for foreign founders on requesting and obtaining government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office, based on the official government information disclosure guide.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

When setting up or running a company in China, foreign founders often need official documents and data from local government bodies. Sichuan Province provides a formal system for accessing government information, which can help you understand regulations, policies, and procedures that affect your business. This article summarizes the key points from the official guide published by the Sichuan Provincial People's Government on government information disclosure.

What Information Is Proactively Disclosed?

According to the guide, the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office proactively disclose certain categories of government information. These include:

• Leadership and structure: Information about 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: Government work reports, important meetings, and information about leaders' attendance at important政务 activities.
• 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 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 for 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: Other government information that laws, regulations, rules, and national provisions require to be proactively disclosed.

This information is made available through various channels, including the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette, the provincial government portal website, social media accounts like "Sichuan Release" on Sina Weibo and WeChat, the provincial government website's headline account, press conferences, and 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.

For information that falls under proactive disclosure, the government aims to publish it within 20 working days from the date the information is formed or changed, unless laws or regulations specify otherwise.

How to Request Information That Is Not Proactively Disclosed

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file a request for government information disclosure. The guide outlines the process:

Step 1: Identify the Correct Agency

To ensure you reach the right office, first 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 main responsibilities and structure of provincial administrative agencies. Then, based on the type of information you need, submit your request to the appropriate agency through its designated channels. For example:

• For approval information and feasibility study reports of major construction projects, apply to the Development and Reform Department.
• For information related to 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 city or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

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 requests directed to the provincial government and its General Office.

• In person: You can visit the government information disclosure request acceptance point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center, obtain the "Government Information Disclosure Request Form" (Request Form), fill it out, and submit it on the spot.
• By mail: Send the completed Request Form along with a copy of your valid ID.
• Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network, log in, and submit your request online. You can select the request type, enter your information such as name and ID number, and track the progress.

Step 3: Tips for a Smooth Process

• Before submitting a request, check the proactive disclosure channels to see if the information is already available. This can save time.
• For matters involving petitions, complaints, reports, consultations, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary inspection reporting.
• When filling out the Request Form, describe the information you need clearly and specifically. Include the name, document number, or other characteristics 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 do so without justification, the request may be considered abandoned.

How Requests Are Processed

The agency will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the request, unless an extension is needed. Extensions require approval and written notice, and can be up to 20 working days. Time spent consulting third parties or other agencies is not counted. If the information can be disclosed, the agency will provide it or tell you how to obtain it. If the information is not held by the agency, it will inform you and, if possible, provide the name and contact details of the responsible agency. If the request is a repeat of a previous request for the same information, the agency may decline to process it again. For information such as business registration or real estate registration, special laws and regulations may apply, and the agency will inform you accordingly.

The agency is not required to process or analyze existing information to create new information. It will provide information in the form you request, unless doing so would endanger the information carrier or incur excessive costs; in such cases, it may provide the information electronically or arrange for you to inspect or copy it.

Fees for information processing may apply in accordance with relevant regulations.

What If You Are Dissatisfied?

If you believe your lawful rights have been infringed in the process, you can complain or report to the higher-level administrative agency or the competent department for government information disclosure. You may also apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit according to law.

Conclusion

For foreign founders in Sichuan, understanding how to access government information can help you navigate regulations and make informed decisions. This guide provides a clear framework for requesting information from the provincial government and its offices. Remember to use the correct channels and provide specific details to facilitate your request.

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 company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.