Published by ChinaMNC · Pingchang

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

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

Accessing Government Information in Sichuan: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in Sichuan Province, timely access to government information is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. This guide explains how to obtain information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office, based on the official Government Information Disclosure Guide.

Proactive Disclosure

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 information that affects public interests, requires broad public awareness, or needs public participation in decision-making. The government continuously expands proactive disclosure in line with higher-level directives and local conditions.

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 leaders' attendance at key public events.
• Plans 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: 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 in 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: Personnel appointments and removals, and civil servant recruitment.
• Other information: As required by laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national provisions.

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

Channels for Access

Government information is available through multiple channels:

• The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette
• The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website
• Social media: "Sichuan Release" Sina Weibo, "Sichuan Release" WeChat public account, and the "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account
• Provincial government press conferences
• Other media: radio, television, newspapers, etc.
• On-site access: Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, Sichuan Provincial Archives, and Sichuan Provincial Library (information disclosure reception and reading venues)

Applying for Information

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

Determine the Correct Agency

Before applying, identify the appropriate agency. Visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website and click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about provincial administrative agencies' main responsibilities and structures. Then, based on the type of information needed, submit your application to the relevant agency through its designated channels.

• For major construction project approval information or feasibility study reports, 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 where the applicant is located.

Submission Methods

In person: The provincial government has set up a reception point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center. Applicants can obtain the "Government Information Disclosure Application Form" (Application Form) on-site, fill it out, and submit it in person. Bring a valid ID.

By mail: Send the completed Application Form along with a copy of your valid ID to the designated address.

Online: Register a user account on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network as prompted. After logging in, submit your application online by selecting the application type and entering your information (e.g., name, ID number). You can also check the application progress online.

Application Requirements

• Describe the requested information clearly and specifically. Provide the name, document number, or other characteristic descriptions that will help the agency locate the information.
• If the application content is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and explanation, and within 7 working days of receiving the application, will inform you once of the required corrections and a reasonable correction period. If you fail to correct without justified reason, the application will be considered abandoned.

Processing and Response

The agency will respond within 20 working days of receiving the application, unless an extension is needed. Extensions require approval from the head of the government information disclosure work机构 and written notice to the applicant, with a maximum extension of 20 working days. Time spent consulting third parties or other agencies is not counted in the processing period.

Possible responses include:

• If the information is disclosable, the agency will provide it or inform you of the manner, channel, and time to obtain it.
• If the information is not within the agency's responsibility, the agency will inform you and explain why; if the responsible agency can be identified, it will provide the name and contact information.
• If the application is a repeat of a previous request for the same information, the agency will inform you that it will not be processed again.
• For information such as business registration or real estate registration materials, which are governed by special legal provisions, the agency will inform you to handle according to those laws and administrative regulations.

The agency provides information as it is preserved and is not obliged to process or analyze existing information. Information is provided in the form requested, unless doing so would endanger the carrier or incur excessive costs; in such cases, electronic data or other appropriate forms may be used, or you may be arranged to inspect or copy the information.

Information processing fees may be charged in accordance with the Regulations and relevant provincial rules.

Additional Tips

Before submitting an application, check the proactive disclosure channels first; if the information is already available, you can obtain it immediately. For matters involving petitions, complaints, reports, consultations, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary inspection reporting.

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

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