Published by ChinaMNC · Xiangcheng

How Foreign Founders Can Access Sichuan Provincial Government Information

A practical guide for foreign founders on requesting and obtaining government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, including procedures, timelines, and fees.

Accessing Government Information in Sichuan: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in Sichuan Province, access to official government information is essential for compliance, planning, and understanding the regulatory environment. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government has published a guide on government information disclosure, outlining how individuals and organizations can obtain information proactively released or upon request. This article summarizes the key points from that guide, tailored for foreign entrepreneurs.

Proactive Disclosure of Government Information

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively discloses a wide range of information in accordance with the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information (State Council Order No. 711). This includes:

• Leadership and division of work of the provincial government, institutional setup, main responsibilities, and work rules;
• Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its General Office;
• Government work reports, important meetings, and information on provincial leaders' attendance at major official activities;
• National economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, related policies, and statistical information;
• Administrative licensing, administrative penalties, administrative coercion, and other external management services;
• Financial budgets and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fee information;
• Approval and implementation status of major construction projects;
• Major livelihood matters: policies, measures, and implementation related to poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, and employment promotion; emergency plans, early warnings, and response to public emergencies; supervision and inspection of environmental protection, public health, work safety, food and drug safety, and product quality;
• Personnel appointments and removals of the provincial government, and civil servant recruitment;
• Other government information that should be proactively disclosed according to laws, regulations, rules, and relevant state provisions.

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 "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account, press conferences, and other media such as radio, television, and newspapers. Additionally, government information is accessible at the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library.

Information within the proactive disclosure scope is made public within 20 working days from the date of formation or change. If laws or regulations provide otherwise, those provisions apply.

Requesting Government Information

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can submit a request to the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. To ensure a smooth process, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Correct Agency

Before applying, determine which agency holds the information. You can visit the provincial government portal website and click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and setup of provincial administrative agencies. Then, 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 Commission;
• For information on collective land expropriation, apply to the Natural Resources Department;
• For information on state-owned land house expropriation and compensation, and shantytown renovation, apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

2. Submission Methods

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

• In person: You can obtain and submit the Government Information Disclosure Application Form at the government information disclosure application reception point located at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center.
• 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, complete identity verification, and submit your application online. You can track the progress of your request.

3. Application Requirements

• Fill out the application form accurately. The form is available at the reception point or can be downloaded from the provincial government portal website. Photocopies are valid.
• For in-person applications, present a valid ID; for mail applications, attach a copy of your ID; for online applications, complete identity verification.
• Describe the requested information clearly, providing the name, document number, or other characteristics that help the agency locate it.
• If the request is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and may ask for supplementation within 7 working days. Failure to supplement without justification may result in the request being abandoned.

Processing and Response

The agency will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the request; this can be extended by up to 20 working days with written notice. The time taken to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted. If the information is disclosable, it will be provided or you will be informed of how to obtain it. If the information is not held by the agency, you will be told and, if possible, directed to the responsible agency. For information protected by special laws (e.g., business registration, real estate registration), you will be advised to follow those laws.

Fees may apply for processing requests, in accordance with the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial regulations.

If you believe your rights are infringed, 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.

Practical Tips for Foreign Founders

• Check proactively disclosed information first; it may already answer your query.
• Ensure your request is specific and directed to the correct agency to avoid delays.
• For matters like petitions, complaints, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox or the 12345 online message platform.
• 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.

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