Published by ChinaMNC · Kangding

ChinaMNC Guide: Navigating Sichuan Government Information for Foreign Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders on how to access Sichuan government information, including proactive disclosures and application procedures, to support company registration and operations in China.

Why Sichuan Government Information Matters for Your China Company

As a foreign founder setting up a business in Sichuan, you need reliable access to government information—from regulations and policies to approval procedures. The Sichuan Provincial Government has established a formal system for public information disclosure, which can help you understand the legal and regulatory environment, verify requirements, and obtain official documents necessary for company registration and ongoing compliance.

This guide summarizes the key aspects of Sichuan’s government information disclosure framework, based on the official guide published by the Sichuan Provincial Government. It explains what information is proactively disclosed, how you can request specific information, and what to expect during the process. Use this as a starting point to navigate the system efficiently.

Proactive Disclosure: Information You Can Access Without Asking

The Sichuan Provincial Government proactively publishes a wide range of information that may be relevant to your business. This includes:

• Government structure and rules: Leadership profiles, organizational 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.
• Economic and social planning: Provincial economic and social development plans, special plans, regional plans, related policies, and statistical information.
• Administrative licensing and penalties: Information on administrative licenses, penalties, compulsory measures, and other external management services.
• Financial information: Budgets, final accounts, government centralized procurement, and administrative fee information.
• Major projects: Approval and implementation status of major construction projects.
• Livelihood issues: Policies and measures on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, employment promotion, and their implementation; emergency plans, early warnings, and responses to public incidents; supervision and inspection of environmental protection, public health, work safety, food and drug safety, and product quality.
• Personnel matters: Appointment and removal of provincial government personnel, civil servant recruitment and enrollment.

These disclosures are made within 20 working days from the date the information is formed or changed, unless otherwise provided by laws or regulations. For foreign founders, this means you can readily find official policies, licensing procedures, and regulatory updates that affect your business setup and operations.

Where to Find Proactively Disclosed Information

The Sichuan Provincial Government uses multiple channels to disseminate information. Key sources include:

• Sichuan Provincial People’s Government Gazette
• Sichuan Provincial People’s Government Portal Website (www.sc.gov.cn)
• Official social media accounts: “Sichuan Release” Sina Weibo, “Sichuan Release” WeChat public account, and “Sichuan Provincial People’s Government Website” Toutiao account.
• Provincial government press conferences
• Other media: Radio, television, newspapers, etc.

Additionally, you can access government information at the Sichuan Provincial Government Affairs Service and Public Resource Trading Service Center, Sichuan Provincial Archives, and Sichuan Provincial Library. These locations serve as information reception and reading venues.

For company registration, the provincial government portal website is particularly useful. It provides access to laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to business establishment, licensing, and compliance. Make it your first stop when researching requirements.

Requesting Information: How to Apply for Specific Government Information

If you cannot find the information you need through proactive disclosure channels, you can file a request for government information with the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government or its General Office. This is known as an “application-based disclosure.”

Step 1: Identify the Correct Authority

Before applying, determine which government body holds the information you need. The Sichuan Provincial People’s Government Portal Website has a “Institutional Functions” section where you can learn about the main responsibilities and organizational setup of provincial administrative agencies. Based on the type of information, submit your application to the appropriate authority through its designated channels. For example:

• For approval information on major construction projects, 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 transformation, etc., apply to the municipal or county-level government and its housing and urban-rural development department where the applicant is located.

Step 2: Prepare and Submit Your Application

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

• In person: The government has set up a government information disclosure application reception point at the Provincial Government Affairs Service Center. You can obtain the “Government Information Disclosure Application Form” on-site, fill it out, and submit it in person. Bring a valid ID.
• By mail: Download the application form from the provincial government portal website, fill it out, and mail it along with a copy of your valid ID.
• Online: Register on the Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network, complete identity verification, log in, and submit your application online. You can track the progress of your application.

Step 3: Ensure Your Request is Clear

Your application should clearly describe the information you need. It is recommended to provide the name, document number, or other characteristic descriptions that will help the authority locate the information. If your request is unclear, the authority will provide guidance and may ask you to supplement it within 7 working days. If you fail to do so without justification, your application may be considered abandoned.

Processing Timeline and Outcomes

After receiving your application, the authority will respond within 20 working days, unless it can reply on the spot. If an extension is needed, you will be notified 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 the processing period.

Possible outcomes include:

• If the information is disclosable, it will be provided to you or you will be informed of the manner, channel, and time to obtain it.
• If the information is not within the authority’s responsibility, you will be informed and, if possible, directed to the responsible agency with contact details.
• If the information has already been provided in response to a previous application and you make a repeat request for the same information, you will be informed that no repeated processing will be made.
• If the information falls under special regulations (e.g., business registration, real estate registration), you will be advised to follow those regulations.

If the volume or frequency of your requests significantly exceeds a reasonable scope, the authority may ask you to justify your request. If the justification is unreasonable, the request may not be processed; if reasonable but cannot be answered within the statutory period, the authority will set a reasonable delay and inform you.

Note that the authority is not obliged to process or analyze existing government information beyond providing it as is. The form of provision will be determined based on your request and the actual state of the information; if providing in your requested form could endanger the information carrier or incur excessively high costs, alternative forms such as electronic data or on-site inspection may be arranged.

Fees and Legal Remedies

According to regulations, the authority may charge information processing fees in strict accordance with the “Measures for the Administration of Government Information Disclosure Information Processing Fees” (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and provincial rules. These fees are intended to cover the cost of processing requests.

If you believe your legitimate rights and interests have been infringed in the course of government information disclosure, you may complain or report to the higher-level administrative organ or the competent department of government information disclosure, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit according to law.

Practical Tips for Foreign Founders

• Start with the portal website: Many answers about company registration, licensing, and compliance are already available through proactive disclosure. Check the portal before filing a request.
• Use online services: The Sichuan Government Affairs Service Network allows you to submit applications and track progress without visiting in person.
• Be specific: Clearly describe the information you need, referencing document titles or numbers if known, to speed up processing.
• Keep records: Save copies of your applications and responses for your company’s records.
• Seek professional advice: For complex matters, consider consulting a local legal or business advisor who understands the Chinese regulatory environment.

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.