Published by ChinaMNC · Butuo

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

A guide for foreign founders on accessing government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office, covering proactive disclosure and application procedures.

Accessing Sichuan Government Information: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in Sichuan, understanding how to obtain government information is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. This guide summarizes the key points from the Sichuan Provincial Government's official disclosure guidelines, based on the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information (State Council Order No. 711).

Proactive Disclosure: What the Government Shares

The Sichuan Provincial Government and its General Office proactively disclose a wide range of information that may be relevant to business operations. This includes:

• Government structure and rules: Leadership profiles, organizational setup, main responsibilities, and work rules.
• Regulations and normative documents: Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its General Office.
• Planning and statistics: National 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: 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 for public incidents; and 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.

This information is disclosed within 20 working days from its formation or change, unless otherwise specified by laws or regulations.

Where to Find Disclosed Information

Foreign founders can access proactively disclosed information through multiple channels:

• The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette
• The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website
• Official social media accounts: "Sichuan Release" on Sina Weibo and WeChat, and the "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account
• Provincial government press conferences
• Other media such as radio, television, and newspapers
• In-person reading at the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, Sichuan Provincial Archives, and Sichuan Provincial Library

Applying for Information: Step by Step

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file an application. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Office accepts applications submitted in person, by mail, or online. Here's how to proceed:

1. Identify the Correct Authority

Before applying, determine which government body holds the information. Visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website and click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and setup of provincial administrative agencies. For example:

• For approval information or 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 house expropriation and compensation or shantytown renovation, apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

2. Submit Your Application

Choose one of the following methods:

• In person: Visit the government information disclosure application reception point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center, collect and fill out the Application Form, and submit it on the spot. Bring a valid ID.
• By mail: Send the completed Application Form along with a copy of your valid ID to the address provided.
• Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Website, complete identity verification, and submit your application online.

Your request should clearly describe the information you need. Include the document name, reference number, or other details that will help the authority locate it.

3. Processing and Response

The authority will respond within 20 working days of receiving your application. If an extension is needed, they will inform you in writing, and the extension will not exceed another 20 working days. If your application is unclear, they will guide you and give you up to 7 working days to supplement it. Failure to supplement without justification may result in the application being closed.

Possible responses include:

• If the information is disclosable, they will provide it or tell you how to obtain it.
• If the information is not held by that authority, they will inform you and, if possible, direct you to the correct authority.
• If the request is repetitive, they may decline to process it again.
• For certain information like business registration or real estate records, special laws may apply, and they will advise you accordingly.

Fees and Limitations

Information processing fees may apply in accordance with the Measures for the Administration of Government Information Disclosure Information Processing Fees (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial regulations. The authority is not obligated to process or analyze existing information beyond what is requested. If your request volume or frequency is clearly unreasonable, they may ask for justification and may decline or delay processing.

Remedies and Other Channels

If you believe your rights are infringed in the disclosure process, you can complain to the higher-level administrative organ or the competent department for government information disclosure, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit. For matters like petitions, complaints, reports, consultations, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary reporting.

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

Call to action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.