Published by ChinaMNC · Qionglai

A Guide to Accessing Sichuan Provincial Government Information for Foreign Founders

This guide explains how foreign founders can access government information from the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office, including proactive disclosure, application procedures, and response timelines, based on the official government information disclosure guide.

Accessing Sichuan Provincial Government Information: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in Sichuan Province, understanding how to obtain official government information is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. This guide summarizes the key points from the Sichuan Provincial Government's official information disclosure guide, focusing on practical steps for foreign investors.

Proactive Disclosure of Government Information

The Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office are committed to transparency and provide information proactively in accordance with the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information (State Council Order No. 711). This information is disclosed to serve the public, protect legitimate rights, and support economic and social activities.

What Information Is Proactively Disclosed?

The government proactively discloses a wide range of information, including but not limited to:

• 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.
• Reports and Meetings: Provincial government work reports, important meetings, and information on leaders' attendance at significant 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 of major construction projects.
• People's Livelihood: Policies and measures on 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.
• Other Information: Other government information that laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national provisions require to be proactively disclosed.

Where to Find Proactively Disclosed Information

Government information is available through multiple channels:

• Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette
• Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website
• Social Media: "Sichuan Release" Sina Weibo, "Sichuan Release" WeChat public account, and "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account.
• Press Conferences: 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, Sichuan Provincial Archives, and Sichuan Provincial Library. These locations serve as information disclosure acceptance and reading venues.

Timeliness of Disclosure

Information that falls under proactive disclosure is made public within 20 working days from the date of formation or change. If laws or regulations specify otherwise, those provisions apply.

Applying for Government Information

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can submit an application to the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. The General Office is responsible for handling information disclosure applications submitted to the provincial government and its General Office.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Authority

To ensure a timely and accurate response, first determine which government body holds the information you seek. Visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government Portal Website and click on "Institutional Functions" to learn about the responsibilities and structure of provincial administrative agencies. Then, submit your application to the appropriate agency through its designated channels.

For example:

• For information on major construction project approval, feasibility study reports, etc., apply to the Development and Reform Commission.
• For information on collective land expropriation, apply to the Natural Resources Department.
• For information on state-owned land housing expropriation and compensation, shantytown renovation, etc., apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

The General Office accepts applications submitted in person, by mail, or online. Here's how:

• In Person: Visit the government information disclosure application acceptance point at the Provincial Government Services Center. Obtain the "Government Information Disclosure Application Form" (the Application Form) on-site, fill it out, and submit it in person.
• By Mail: Download the Application Form from the provincial government portal website, complete it, and mail it along with a copy of your valid ID.
• Online: Register a user account on the Sichuan Government Services Website 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 progress of your application online.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

To facilitate processing, follow these guidelines:

• Search First: Before applying, check the proactive disclosure channels to see if the information is already available. Only apply if you cannot find it.
• Use the Form: Complete the Application Form. It is available at the acceptance point and can be downloaded from the portal website. Photocopies are valid. For online applications, fill it out electronically.
• Provide Identification: For in-person applications, present a valid ID. For mail applications, include a copy of your valid ID. For online applications, register on the Sichuan Government Services Website and complete identity verification before submitting.
• Be Specific: Describe the information you need clearly. It is recommended to provide the name, document number, or other characteristic descriptions that will help the agency locate the information.
• Supplementary Information: If your application is unclear, the agency will provide guidance and notify you within 7 working days to make corrections. If you fail to correct without justification, your application may be considered abandoned.

Note: For matters such as petitions, complaints, reports, inquiries, or suggestions, use dedicated channels like the Governor's Mailbox, 12345 Online Message, or disciplinary reporting channels.

Step 4: Processing and Response

The agency will process your application according to the following rules:

• Response Time: The agency will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the application, unless an extension is needed. Extensions require approval and written notice, and can be up to 20 working days. Time spent consulting third parties or other agencies is not counted. If corrections are needed, the response period starts from receipt of the corrected application.
• Possible Outcomes: If the information is disclosable, the agency will provide it or inform you how to obtain it. If the information is not held by the agency, it will inform you and, if possible, provide the name and contact details of the responsible agency. If the request is repetitive, the agency may refuse to process it again. For information such as business registration or real estate registration, special laws and regulations may apply, and the agency will inform you accordingly.
• Reasonable Use: If the number or frequency of requests significantly exceeds a reasonable range, the agency may ask for justification. If unjustified, it may refuse; if justified but unable to respond within the statutory period, it will set a reasonable delay and notify you.
• Form of Provision: The agency will provide information in the form you request, based on actual conditions. If the requested form poses a risk to the information carrier or is too costly, it may provide electronic data or other appropriate forms, or arrange for you to inspect or copy the information.
• Fees: In accordance with regulations, the agency may charge information processing fees as per the "Measures for the Administration of Government Information Disclosure Information Processing Fees" (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial rules.

Step 5: Remedies

If you believe your legitimate rights have been infringed in the information disclosure process, you may 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 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.