Published by ChinaMNC · Luhuo

Navigating Sichuan's Government Information Disclosure for Foreign Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders on how to access government information in Sichuan Province, including proactive disclosure channels and the application process for obtaining specific documents.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in Sichuan, access to official government information is essential for compliance, due diligence, and strategic planning. The Sichuan Provincial Government publishes a guide to its information disclosure practices, outlining what information is proactively shared and how individuals or organizations can request specific documents. This article summarizes the key points from that guide, tailored for foreign entrepreneurs.

Proactive Disclosure: What You Can Find Without Asking

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively discloses a wide range of information in accordance with the national Regulation on Open Government Information. This includes:

• Leadership and structure: Profiles and division of responsibilities of provincial leaders, the setup and main functions of government agencies, and the provincial government's working 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 key public activities.
• Planning and statistics: Provincial economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, related policies, and statistical information.
• Administrative actions: Information on 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 implementation 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: Appointment and removal of provincial government personnel, and recruitment of civil servants.
• Other information: Any other information that laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national provisions require to be proactively disclosed.

This information is made available through multiple channels: the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette, the provincial government portal website, social media accounts (Sina Weibo, WeChat, and Toutiao under the name "Sichuan Release"), press conferences, and other media such as radio, television, and newspapers. Additionally, government information is accessible at the Sichuan Provincial Government Services and Public Resources Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library.

Proactively disclosed information is published within 20 working days from the date it is formed or changed, unless otherwise stipulated by laws or regulations.

Requesting Information: How to Apply

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 General Office accepts applications and processes them according to established procedures.

Step 1: Identify the Right Authority

Before applying, determine which government body holds the information. For example, information on major construction project approvals and feasibility studies should be requested from the development and reform department; information on collective land expropriation from the natural resources department; and information on state-owned land house expropriation, compensation, and shantytown renovation from the relevant city or county government and its housing and urban-rural development department. You can check the functions and setup of provincial agencies on the government portal under "Institutional Functions."

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Applications can be submitted in three ways:

• In person: Visit the government information disclosure application acceptance point at the Provincial Government Services Center, obtain the Application Form, fill it out, and submit it on the spot. Bring valid identification.
• By mail: Send the completed Application Form along with a copy of your valid identification.
• Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Services Website, complete identity verification, and submit your application online. You can track the progress through the website.

The Application Form can be obtained at the acceptance point, downloaded from the provincial government portal, or filled out online. Photocopies are acceptable.

Step 3: Describe Your Request Clearly

Provide a clear and specific description of the information you need. It is helpful to include the document name, reference number, or other characteristics that facilitate retrieval. If your request is unclear, the authority will provide guidance and may ask you to supplement it within 7 working days. If you fail to do so without justification, your application may be considered abandoned.

Step 4: Processing and Response

The authority will respond within 20 working days from receipt of your application. If an extension is needed, you will be notified in writing, and the extension will not exceed another 20 working days. The time taken to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted. If your request is voluminous or frequent beyond a reasonable scope, the authority may ask for justification and may decline to process unreasonable requests.

Possible responses include: providing the information; informing you of the manner, channel, and time to obtain it; or, if the information is not held by the authority, informing you and, if known, identifying the responsible agency. If the information falls under special legal provisions (such as business registration or real estate registration), you will be directed to follow those laws. If you repeatedly request the same information after a prior response, the authority may inform you that it will not process it again.

Fees may be charged for processing information requests in accordance with national and provincial regulations.

Step 5: If You Disagree

If you believe your legitimate rights have been infringed in the information disclosure process, you may complain or report to a higher administrative body or the competent department for government information disclosure, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit according to law.

Practical Tips for Foreign Founders

• Check proactively disclosed information first through the channels listed above; you may find what you need without filing a request.
• For matters such as complaints, suggestions, or inquiries, use dedicated channels like the Governor's Mailbox or the 12345 online message service rather than the information disclosure application.
• Ensure your application is specific and includes identifying details to speed up processing.
• Keep copies of your application and any correspondence for your records.

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