Published by ChinaMNC · Linshui

How Foreign Founders Can Access Sichuan Government Information: A Practical Guide for Company Registration

This guide explains how foreign founders can obtain government information from Sichuan Province, which is useful for company registration and compliance. It covers proactive disclosure, application procedures, and practical tips.

Why Government Information Matters for Your China Company Registration

When setting up a company in China, access to official government information is crucial. It helps you understand regulations, verify procedures, and ensure compliance. Sichuan Province has established a structured system for disclosing government information, which can be a valuable resource for foreign founders. This article summarizes the key points from the official guide, focusing on what you need to know to navigate the system effectively.

What Information Is Proactively Disclosed?

The Sichuan Provincial People's Government and its General Office proactively publish a wide range of information. For foreign founders, the most relevant categories include:

Laws, regulations, and normative documents issued by the provincial government and its offices.
Administrative licensing, penalties, and other management matters that affect business operations.
Financial budgets and final accounts, government procurement, and administrative fees.
Approval and implementation of major construction projects.
Policies and measures related to poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, and employment promotion, as well as emergency plans and public health, safety, and product quality supervision.
Personnel appointments and civil servant recruitment (though this may be less relevant for company registration).

This information is available through various channels:

The Sichuan Provincial People's Government Gazette.
The official website of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government.
Social media accounts such as "Sichuan Release" on Sina Weibo and WeChat, and the "Sichuan Provincial People's Government Website" Toutiao account.
Press conferences.
Other media like radio, television, and newspapers.
Physical locations: Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, Sichuan Provincial Archives, and Sichuan Provincial Library.

Proactively disclosed information is published within 20 working days from its formation or change, unless otherwise provided by laws and regulations.

How to Request Information That Is Not Proactively Disclosed

If you need government information that is not proactively disclosed, you can file an application. As a foreign founder, you can apply to the Sichuan Provincial People's Government or its General Office. Here's how:

1. Identify the Correct Authority

First, determine which government body holds the information you need. Visit the Sichuan Provincial People's Government website and check the "Institutional Functions" section to understand the responsibilities of provincial departments. For example:

For information on major construction project approvals and feasibility studies, 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, or shantytown renovation, apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department.

2. Submit Your Application

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

In person: Go to the government information disclosure application reception point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center, obtain and fill out the "Government Information Disclosure Application Form," and submit it.
By mail: Send the completed form along with a copy of your valid ID.
Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network, complete identity verification, and submit your application online. You can track the progress online.

When applying, provide a clear description of the information you need, including the name, document number, or other identifying details. If your application is unclear, the authority will guide you and may request a correction within 7 working days. If you fail to correct without justification, your application may be considered abandoned.

Processing Timelines and Fees

After receiving your application, the authority will respond within 20 working days, unless it can respond on the spot. If an extension is needed, they will notify you in writing, and the extension can be up to 20 working days. Time spent consulting third parties is not counted. If you submit a correction, the timeline starts from the receipt of the corrected application.

If your requests are excessively frequent or voluminous, the authority may ask for a justification. If the justification is unreasonable, they may refuse to process. If reasonable but cannot be processed within the statutory period, they will inform you of a delayed response time.

Fees may apply for information processing, according to the "Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure" (Guo Ban Han [2020] No. 109) and provincial regulations.

What If Your Request Is Denied or You Are Dissatisfied?

If you believe your lawful rights are infringed, you can complain to the higher-level administrative organ or the government information disclosure supervisory department, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

Practical Tips for Foreign Founders

Check proactively disclosed information first: Many regulations and policies relevant to company registration are already published online.
Be specific: Clearly describe the information you need to avoid delays.
Use online channels: The online application system is convenient and allows you to track progress.
Keep copies: Retain copies of your application and any correspondence.
Seek professional advice: If unsure, consult with a local expert who understands the system.

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.