Published by ChinaMNC · Mianyang

ChinaMNC Guide: Accessing Sichuan Government Information for Foreign Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders on how to access government information from Sichuan Province, China, to support company registration and operations. Learn about proactive disclosure, application procedures, and key timelines.

What This Means for Your China Company Registration

As a foreign founder setting up a business in Sichuan, China, you need reliable access to government information to navigate regulations, permits, and compliance. The Sichuan Provincial Government provides a structured framework for public access to government information under the Regulations on Open Government Information of the People's Republic of China (State Council Order No. 711). This guide explains how you can obtain the information you need to register and run your company in Sichuan.

Proactive Disclosure: Information You Can Access Without Asking

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively publishes a wide range of information that is relevant to foreign investors and business owners. This includes:

• Government structure and responsibilities: Information about provincial leaders, their divisions of work, the setup of government agencies, and their main responsibilities.
• 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 on economic and social development.
• Administrative licensing and penalties: Information on administrative licenses, administrative penalties, administrative coercion, and other external management services.
• Financial information: Fiscal budgets and final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fees.
• Major construction projects: Approval and implementation status of major construction projects.
• Key livelihood areas: Policies, measures, and implementation in poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, and employment promotion; 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: Provincial government personnel appointments and removals, and civil servant recruitment.

This information is available through multiple channels, including the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette, the provincial government portal website, official social media accounts (Sina Weibo, WeChat, and Toutiao), press conferences, and other media such as radio, television, and newspapers. Additionally, government information can be accessed at the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, the Sichuan Provincial Archives, and the Sichuan Provincial Library.

For foreign founders, this proactive disclosure means you can research the regulatory landscape, understand licensing requirements, and stay informed about policies affecting your business without needing to file requests. For example, if you plan to invest in a major construction project, you can check the approval status and implementation details. If you operate in healthcare or education, you can review the relevant policies and inspection results.

Timelines for Proactive Disclosure

Government information that falls under proactive disclosure is made public within 20 working days from the date the information is formed or changed. If laws or regulations specify otherwise, those provisions apply. This means you can expect timely updates on policies and regulatory changes that may impact your business operations.

Requesting Information: Application Process

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. As a foreign founder, you can use this process to obtain specific documents or data required for your company registration or compliance.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Agency

Before applying, determine which government agency holds the information you need. You can visit the provincial government portal website and check the "Agency Functions" section to learn about the responsibilities and structure of provincial administrative agencies. Then, based on the type of information, submit your application to the appropriate agency through its designated channel. For example:

• For information on major construction project approval, feasibility study reports, etc., 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, shantytown renovation, etc., apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

The Sichuan Provincial Government General Office accepts applications for information held by the provincial government and its general office. The Provincial Government Information Disclosure Office handles the specific matters.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

You can submit an application in three ways:

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

When applying, provide a clear and detailed description of the information you need, such as the document name, reference number, or other characteristics that will help the agency locate it. If your application is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and may request a supplement within 7 working days.

Step 3: Processing and Response

The agency will respond to your application within 20 working days from receipt. If an extension is needed, they will inform you in writing, and the extension will not exceed 20 working days. The time required to consult third parties or other agencies is not counted in this period. If you need to supplement your application, the response period starts from the date the supplement is received.

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 held by the agency, they will inform you and, if possible, provide the name and contact details of the responsible agency. If the information is exempt from disclosure or does not exist, you will be notified accordingly.

For information that requires special handling under other laws and administrative regulations (such as business registration data or real estate registration materials), the agency will inform you to follow those specific provisions.

Fees and Limitations

In accordance with the Regulations, the agency may charge information processing fees based on the Measures for the Administration of Government Information Disclosure Information Processing Fees (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial regulations. However, fees are only charged for applications that exceed a reasonable scope. If your application is for a large amount of information or is repetitive, the agency may ask you to justify your request. If the justification is unreasonable, they may refuse to process; if reasonable but cannot be answered within the statutory period, they will set a reasonable delay and inform you.

The agency is not obligated to process or analyze existing government information; they provide information as it is preserved. They will provide information in the form you request, unless doing so would endanger the information carrier or incur excessively high costs, in which case they may provide it electronically or arrange for you to inspect or copy it.

Complaints and Remedies

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

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Utilize proactive disclosure: Before filing an application, check the provincial government portal and other channels for information that is already public. This can save time and help you understand the regulatory environment.
• Target the right agency: For company registration and operations, you may need information from multiple agencies. Identify the correct one to avoid delays.
• Provide clear requests: When applying, be specific about the documents or data you need to facilitate a timely response.
• Leverage online systems: The Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network allows online application and tracking, which is convenient for foreign founders who may not be in China.
• Be aware of timelines: Proactive disclosure occurs within 20 working days; applications are processed within 20 working days (extendable). Plan accordingly.

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.