Published by ChinaMNC · Ganzi

A Guide to Accessing Sichuan Provincial Government Information for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders operating in Sichuan can access government information through proactive disclosure and formal requests. This guide explains the channels, procedures, and timelines based on the Sichuan Provincial Government's official guide.

Accessing Government Information in Sichuan: A Practical Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders setting up or running a business in Sichuan, understanding how to obtain government information is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. The Sichuan Provincial Government has published a guide on government information disclosure, outlining both proactive disclosure and request-based access. 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 information is made available through various channels to ensure transparency and support public participation.

Key categories of proactively disclosed information include:

• Leadership and structure: Provincial government leaders and their divisions of work, institutional 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.
• Work reports and meetings: Provincial government work reports, important meetings, and information on leaders' attendance at major official 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: Fiscal budgets and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fees.
• 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, as well as emergency plans, early warnings, and responses to 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 relevant national provisions require to be proactively disclosed.

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

Proactively disclosed information is made public within 20 working days from the date of formation or change, unless otherwise provided by laws or regulations.

Requesting Government Information

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file a request for government information. Here's how to do it effectively.

Determine the Responsible Authority

Before submitting a request, identify the correct government body. Visit the Sichuan Provincial Government Portal and click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and setup of provincial administrative agencies. Based on the type of information you need, submit your request to the appropriate authority through its designated channel. For example:

• For approval information and feasibility study reports of major construction projects, apply to the Development and Reform Commission.
• For information related to 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 where you are located.

The General Office of the Sichuan Provincial Government accepts requests for information from the provincial government and its general office. The Provincial Government Information Disclosure Office handles the specifics.

Submission Methods

You can submit a request in three ways:

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

Application Requirements

To ensure your request is processed efficiently:

• Describe the information you need clearly and specifically. Provide the name, document number, or other characteristic details that help identify the information.
• If the request is unclear, the authority will provide guidance and may ask you to supplement within 7 working days. Failure to do so without justification may result in the request being abandoned.
• Requests that are obviously excessive in number or frequency may require justification. If the justification is unreasonable, the authority may decline to process the request.

Processing and Response

The authority will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the request. If an extension is needed, they will inform you 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 the information can be disclosed, you will be provided with it or told how to obtain it. If the information is not within the authority's responsibility, they will inform you and, if possible, direct you to the correct agency.

Fees

According to regulations, fees may be charged for processing information requests, following the "Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure" (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial rules.

Additional Tips

• Before submitting a request, check the proactive disclosure channels to see if the information is already available.
• For complaints, suggestions, or inquiries, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary reporting channels.
• The authority is not obligated to process or analyze existing information; it provides information as it is.
• If you believe your rights are infringed, you can complain to a higher-level authority or the government information disclosure主管部门, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

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.