Published by ChinaMNC · Xiangcheng

ChinaMNC Guide: How Foreign Founders Can Access Sichuan Government Information for Business Registration

A practical guide for international founders on using Sichuan's government information disclosure system to support company registration and operations in China. Learn how to request public records, understand timelines, and navigate the process efficiently.

Why Government Information Matters for Your China Company Registration

When setting up a company in Sichuan, foreign founders often need official documents and data to make informed decisions. Sichuan's government information disclosure system allows citizens, legal entities, and organizations to access public records from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office. This guide explains how you can use this system to obtain information relevant to your business registration and operations.

What Information Is Proactively Disclosed

The provincial government proactively publishes a range of information that can be useful for foreign investors. Key categories include:

• Government structure and rules: Leadership profiles, organizational setup, main responsibilities, and work rules of the provincial government.
• Regulations and normative documents: Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the government and its General Office.
• Planning and statistics: Provincial economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, and related policies, as well as statistical information.
• Administrative licenses and penalties: Information on administrative licensing, penalties, compulsory measures, and other external management services.
• Financial and procurement data: Budget and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fee information.
• Major projects: Approval and implementation status of major construction projects.
• Livelihood and safety: Policies and implementation on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, and employment promotion; emergency plans, early warnings, and responses for public incidents; 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 published through various channels, including the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette, the provincial government portal website, official social media accounts (Sina Weibo, WeChat, Toutiao), 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 proactively disclosed information, publication occurs within 20 working days from the date the information is formed or changed, unless otherwise provided by laws or regulations.

How to Request Information That Is Not Proactively Disclosed

If the information you need is not publicly available, you can file a request for government information disclosure. Here's what foreign founders should know:

Step 1: Identify the Right Authority

Before applying, determine which government body holds the information. For example:

• For major construction project approval and feasibility study reports, apply to the Development and Reform Commission.
• For collective land expropriation information, apply to the Natural Resources Department.
• For 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.

You can check the organizational functions on the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal to find the appropriate authority.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Applications can be submitted in three ways:

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

For in-person applications, bring your valid ID. For online applications, ensure you complete the registration and identity verification process.

Step 3: Describe Your Request Clearly

Provide a detailed description of the information you need, including the name, document number, or other characteristics that will help the authority locate the information. If your request is unclear, the authority will provide guidance and may ask you to supplement your request within 7 working days. Failure to do so without justification may result in the application being abandoned.

Step 4: Understand the Processing Timeline

The authority will respond within 20 working days from receipt of your application. If an extension is needed, they will inform you in writing, and the extension will not exceed 20 working days. The time required to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted in the processing period. If your request is frequent or excessive, the authority may ask for justification and may refuse unreasonable requests.

Step 5: Fees and Appeals

Information processing fees may apply according to relevant regulations. If you believe your rights are infringed, you can complain to a higher-level administrative organ or the government information disclosure supervision department, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

What This Means for Your China Company Registration

As a foreign founder, you may need official documents such as industry policies, zoning plans, or regulatory approvals to complete your company registration or to ensure compliance. The government information disclosure system provides a formal channel to obtain such information. By understanding what is proactively published and how to request additional information, you can save time and avoid delays in your business setup.

For example, if you are setting up a manufacturing company, you might need information on environmental protection inspections or work safety regulations. If you are in the education sector, policies on education and employment promotion could be relevant. Accessing these documents early can help you make informed decisions and prepare necessary paperwork.

Remember to first check the proactive disclosure channels before filing a request, as this can often provide the information you need more quickly.

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.