Published by ChinaMNC · Mianning

Sichuan Government Information Disclosure Guide: Key Points for Foreign Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders on how to access Sichuan government information, which can help with company registration, licensing, and compliance in China.

What This Means for Your China Company Registration

If you are a foreign founder planning to register or operate a company in Sichuan, understanding how to obtain government information is essential. The Sichuan Provincial Government has published a guide on government information disclosure that outlines how individuals and organizations can access public information. This article summarizes the key points relevant to foreign founders, focusing on practical steps to get the information you need for registration, licensing, and compliance.

Proactive Disclosure: Information the Government Publishes

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively discloses a wide range of information that can be useful for foreign founders. According to the guide, this includes:

• Government structure and rules: Information about provincial leaders, government agencies, their responsibilities, and work rules.
• Regulations and normative documents: Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its general office.
• Economic and social development plans: Provincial economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, and related policies, as well as statistical information.
• Administrative licensing and penalties: Information on administrative licensing, penalties, compulsory measures, and other external management services.
• Financial and procurement information: Government budgets and final accounts, centralized procurement, and administrative fees.
• Major construction projects: Approval and implementation status of major construction projects.
• Key livelihood areas: Policies and measures on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, employment promotion, and their implementation; emergency plans, 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: Provincial government personnel appointments and removals, and civil servant recruitment.

For foreign founders, this proactive disclosure can provide valuable information on regulations, licensing procedures, and government policies that affect business operations. For example, information on administrative licensing can help you understand what permits are required for your business activities, and major construction project information can be relevant if you are involved in infrastructure or real estate.

Where to Find Proactively Disclosed Information

The government discloses information through multiple channels, including:

• 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.
• In-person access: Sichuan Provincial Government Government Services and Public Resources Trading Service Center, Sichuan Provincial Archives, Sichuan Provincial Library

These channels are useful for staying updated on policy changes and obtaining official documents. The online portal is particularly convenient for foreign founders who may not be in China.

Timeframe for Proactive Disclosure

Government information that falls under proactive disclosure is made public within 20 working days from the date it is formed or changed. If laws or regulations provide otherwise, those provisions apply. This means that new policies or regulations affecting business should be available within about a month of being finalized.

Requesting Information: How to Apply

If you cannot find the information you need through proactive disclosure, you can submit a request for government information to the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. The guide outlines the following steps:

1. Identify the Correct Agency

Before applying, determine which agency holds the information. You can visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website and click on "Agency Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and structure of provincial administrative agencies. Then, based on the type of information you need, submit your request to the appropriate agency through its designated channels. For example:

• For information on approval of major construction projects 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 housing 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.

This step is crucial for foreign founders seeking specific permits or approvals, as directing your request to the right agency saves time.

2. Submission Methods

The General Office of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government accepts requests submitted in person, by mail, or online. The application process is as follows:

• In person: The agency has a government information disclosure request reception point at the Provincial Government Services Center. You can obtain the "Government Information Disclosure Application Form" on-site, fill it out, and submit it in person.
• By mail: Submit the application form along with a copy of your valid ID.
• Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Services Website, complete identity verification, log in, and submit your application online. You can select the application type, enter your information (name, ID number, etc.), and track the progress.

For foreign founders, online submission is often the most convenient, but ensure you complete the identity verification process.

3. Tips for a Smooth Application

• Before submitting a request, check the proactive disclosure channels to see if the information is already available. This can save time.
• For matters involving petitions, complaints, reports, inquiries, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary inspection reporting.
• Fill out the application form accurately. The form can be obtained at the reception point or downloaded from the portal website. Photocopies are acceptable. For online applications, fill it out directly on the website.
• Provide clear and specific descriptions of the information you need. Include the name, document number, or other characteristic descriptions that can help the agency locate the information.
• If your application is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and may ask you to supplement it within 7 working days. If you fail to supplement without justification, your application may be considered abandoned.

Processing and Response

The agency will respond to your request within 20 working days from receipt. If an extension is needed, they will notify you in writing, and the extension can be up to 20 more working days. The time taken to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted in the processing period. If your request is unclear and requires supplementation, the response period starts from the date the supplemented application is received.

The agency may provide the information in various forms depending on your request and the actual situation. If providing it in your requested form could endanger the information carrier or incur high costs, they may provide it electronically or arrange for you to inspect or copy it.

If the information you request is not held by the agency, they will inform you and, if possible, tell you which agency is responsible. If the information is already publicly available, they will direct you to it. If your request is repeated, they may not process it again.

Fees and Appeals

According to regulations, the agency may charge an information processing fee based on the method and volume of information provided, in accordance with the "Measures for the Management of Government Information Disclosure Information Processing Fees" (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial rules. If you believe your rights are infringed, you can complain to the higher-level administrative agency or the government information disclosure supervisory department, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

Conclusion

For foreign founders in Sichuan, knowing how to access government information is a practical skill that supports company registration, licensing, and ongoing compliance. By using proactive disclosure channels and, when necessary, submitting information requests to the correct agencies, you can obtain the official information needed to make informed decisions.

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.