Published by ChinaMNC · Ebianyizu

How China's Government Information Disclosure System Works for Foreign Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders on navigating China's government information disclosure platform, including key regulations, planning documents, and annual reports.

Understanding China's Government Information Disclosure Platform

For foreign founders setting up or operating a company in China, access to reliable government information is essential. The Chinese government maintains a centralized platform for public information disclosure, which publishes regulations, plans, and annual reports. This article explains what the platform offers and how you can use it to support your business operations.

Key Regulations on Information Disclosure

The platform lists several important regulations that govern how government information is disclosed. These include:

• Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Open Government Information (effective April 15, 2019)
• Notice from the General Office of the State Council on Issuing the Measures for the Formulation of Provisions on Information Disclosure of Public Enterprises and Institutions (December 21, 2020)
• Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (December 1, 2020)
• Notice on Forwarding the Guiding Opinions of the Ministry of Justice on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Administrative Reconsideration Cases of Government Information Disclosure (January 4, 2022)
• Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Centralized Disclosure and Dynamic Updating of Rules and Regulations (October 29, 2021)
• Notice on Issuing the Format of Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure Work (September 29, 2021)
• Notice on Matters Concerning the Standardization of Government Information Disclosure Platforms (December 3, 2019)

These regulations set the framework for how government information is made public and how requests for information should be handled. Understanding them can help foreign founders know what information is available and how to request it.

National and Specialized Development Plans

The platform provides access to national economic and social development plans, including the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and previous plans going back to the 10th Five-Year Plan. These plans outline China's strategic priorities and can inform business planning.

In addition, specialized plans are published, such as:

• Special Education Development and Improvement "15th Five-Year" Action Plan
• Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization "15th Five-Year" Plan
• National Fitness Plan (2026-2030)
• Expanding Consumption "15th Five-Year" Plan
• National Health "15th Five-Year" Plan
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Revitalization and Development "15th Five-Year" Plan

These plans can signal upcoming policies and opportunities in specific sectors. Foreign founders should monitor them to align their business strategies with national priorities.

Local development plans for provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities are also available, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. These can provide insights into regional policies that may affect your operations.

Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure

The platform publishes annual reports on government information disclosure work for various government bodies. These reports cover the years 2020 through 2025 and are organized by:

• Provincial-level governments: Reports from all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
• Vertically managed systems: Reports from systems such as the People's Bank of China, Customs, Taxation, Financial Supervision, Securities Regulatory, Meteorological, Grain and Strategic Reserves, Tobacco, Railway, Civil Aviation, Postal, Mining Safety, Fire Rescue, and Foreign Exchange.
• State Council departments: Reports from ministries and commissions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and many others.

These annual reports provide transparency on how government agencies handle information disclosure requests and can be a useful reference for understanding administrative processes.

How Foreign Founders Can Use This Information

As a foreign founder, you can use the platform to:

• Stay informed about regulatory changes: New regulations and notices are published here, helping you remain compliant.
• Understand policy direction: Five-year plans and specialized plans indicate government priorities, which can guide your business planning.
• Request government information: If you need specific documents or data, the platform explains the procedures and channels for making information disclosure requests.
• Monitor transparency: Annual reports show how agencies perform in information disclosure, which can be useful when interacting with them.

It is important to note that the platform is in Chinese. Foreign founders may need translation assistance or local expertise to fully utilize the resources. Additionally, while the platform provides general information, specific requirements for company registration and operation may vary by industry and location.

Practical Tips for Using the Platform

• Bookmark the platform: The official website (gov.cn) hosts the information disclosure section, which is updated regularly.
• Search effectively: Use specific keywords and check for simplified or similar terms if initial searches yield no results.
• Check dates: Pay attention to the document date (成文日期) and publication date (发布日期) to ensure you are referencing the most current information.
• Contact relevant departments: For specific inquiries, reach out to the appropriate government department listed in the annual reports.

Conclusion

China's government information disclosure platform is a valuable resource for foreign founders. It provides access to regulations, development plans, and annual reports that can help you navigate the business environment. By understanding and utilizing this platform, you can make more informed decisions and ensure compliance with Chinese laws and regulations.

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.