Published by ChinaMNC · Nanjiang

How Foreign Founders Can Access Sichuan Government Information: A Guide to Open Government

A practical guide for foreign founders on how to access government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, including proactive disclosure and application procedures, based on the official government information disclosure guide.

Accessing Sichuan Government Information: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in Sichuan, understanding how to access government information is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. The Sichuan Provincial People's Government has published a guide on government information disclosure, outlining how citizens, legal entities, and other organizations can obtain information. This article summarizes the key points for foreign founders, focusing on practical steps.

Proactive Disclosure: Information Available to All

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively discloses certain information to enhance transparency and support economic and social activities. This information is made available through various channels without the need for a formal request. According to the guide, proactive disclosure covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Government structure and rules: Leadership and division of work, institutional setup, main responsibilities, and work rules of the provincial government.
• Regulations and normative documents: Provincial government rules and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its general office.
• Work reports and meetings: Government work reports, important meetings, and information on leaders' attendance at important activities.
• Planning 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: Budget and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fees.
• Major construction projects: Approval and implementation status of major construction projects.
• Major livelihood issues: Policies and measures on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, employment promotion, and their implementation; emergency plans, early warnings, and responses for 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 recruitment of civil servants.
• Other information: Other government information that should be proactively disclosed according to laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national provisions.

Foreign founders should regularly check these sources for updates that may affect their business, such as changes in regulations or new policies.

Where to Find Proactively Disclosed Information

The government uses multiple channels to disseminate proactively disclosed information. Key channels include:

• The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette.
• The official website of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government.
• Social media accounts: "Sichuan Release" on 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.
• Additionally, information is available at the Sichuan Provincial Government Government Services and Public Resources Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library (these are information disclosure acceptance/reading venues).

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

Applying for Government Information

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file an application. The guide explains the process for citizens, legal entities, and other organizations (applicants) to request government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Agency

Before applying, determine which agency holds the information. Visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government website and check the "Institutional Functions" section to learn about the responsibilities and setup of provincial administrative agencies. Then, submit your application to the appropriate agency through its designated channel. For example:

• For approval information on 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.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

The General Office of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government accepts applications submitted in person, by mail, or online. The Provincial Government Information Disclosure Office handles the specific matters.

• In person: The agency has set up an acceptance point at the Provincial Government Services Center. Applicants can obtain the "Government Information Disclosure Application Form" (Application Form) on-site, fill it out, and submit it in person.
• By mail: Send the completed Application Form along with a copy of your valid ID.
• Online: Register as a user on the Sichuan Government Services Network, log in, and submit your application online. Select the application type, enter your information (such as name and ID number), and you can track the progress.

Step 3: Tips for a Smooth Application

To ensure timely access to information, consider these tips from the guide:

• Before submitting an application, first check the proactive disclosure channels. If the information is already public, you can save time.
• For matters related to petitions, complaints, reports, or suggestions, use dedicated channels such as the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 online message, or disciplinary inspection reporting, rather than the information disclosure application process.
• Complete the Application Form accurately. The form is available at the acceptance point or can be downloaded from the government website. Copies are valid. For online applications, fill it out directly online.
• Provide clear and specific descriptions of the information you need. Include the document name, reference number, or other identifying details to help the agency locate the information.
• If your application is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and may request supplementation within 7 working days. If you fail to supplement without justification, your application may be considered abandoned.

Step 4: Processing and Response

The agency will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the application, unless an extension is needed. Extensions are possible with written notice, up to a maximum of 20 additional working days. The time needed to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted in the processing period. If supplementation is required, the response period starts from the date the supplemented application is received.

Possible responses include:

• If the information can be disclosed, 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, you will be informed with reasons. If the responsible agency can be identified, you will be given its name and contact information.
• If the request is repetitive, the agency will inform you that no repeated processing will be made.
• For information such as business registration or real estate registration data, which may have special access rules under other laws and regulations, you will be directed to follow those rules.

If the volume or frequency of your requests明显 exceeds a reasonable range, the agency may ask for justification. If the justification is unreasonable, the agency may decline to process. If reasonable but the agency cannot respond within the statutory period, it will set a reasonable delayed response period and inform you.

The agency is not obligated to process or analyze existing government information beyond providing it as stored. The form of provision will be determined based on your request and the actual condition of the information. If providing in your requested form poses risks to the information carrier or incurs excessive costs, the agency may provide it electronically or in another appropriate form, or arrange for you to inspect or copy it.

According to regulations, the agency may charge information processing fees in accordance with the "Measures for the Administration of Government Information Disclosure Information Processing Fees" (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial rules.

If you believe your legitimate rights are infringed, you can complain or report to the higher-level administrative agency or the government information disclosure主管部门, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit according to law.

Conclusion

For foreign founders, understanding how to access government information in Sichuan is a practical step towards compliance and informed business operations. By utilizing proactive disclosure channels and following the application procedures, you can obtain the information needed to navigate the regulatory environment. Always ensure your applications are clear and directed to the correct agency to avoid delays.

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