Published by ChinaMNC · Daocheng

A Foreign Founder’s Guide to China’s Government Information Disclosure System

Understanding China’s government information disclosure rules helps foreign founders access regulations, track policy updates, and navigate administrative processes. This guide explains the key regulations and resources available.

Why Government Information Disclosure Matters for Foreign Founders

When setting up or running a company in China, foreign founders often need to consult official regulations, policy plans, and government reports. China’s government information disclosure system provides a structured way to access such documents. The State Council’s Government Information Disclosure Platform (gov.cn/zhengce/xxgk) serves as a central hub for these materials. Understanding how the system works can help you find reliable information for compliance, planning, and due diligence.

Key Regulations Governing Information Disclosure

The legal foundation is the Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information, dated April 15, 2019. This regulation sets out the principles for disclosing government information. Several supporting notices and measures have been issued by the General Office of the State Council and its Government Information and Openness Office. These include:

• Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (issued December 1, 2020) – clarifies fee structures for processing information requests.
• Notice on the Measures for Formulating Provisions on Information Disclosure of Public Enterprises and Institutions (issued December 21, 2020) – guides public service units on disclosure.
• Guiding Opinions on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Administrative Reconsideration Cases Involving Government Information Disclosure (forwarded January 4, 2022) – addresses legal disputes.
• Notice on Doing a Good Job in Centralized Disclosure and Dynamic Updating of Rules and Regulations (issued October 29, 2021) – requires consolidated publication of rules.
• Notice on the Format of Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure Work (issued September 29, 2021) – standardizes annual reporting.
• Notice on Matters Concerning the Standardization of Government Information Disclosure Platforms (issued December 3, 2019) – sets platform standards.

Additionally, a series of interpretations from the Government Information and Openness Office address practical issues such as handling disclosure requests after institutional reforms (February 11, 2019), reception channels for requests (October 24, 2017), the proper respondent for requests (October 24, 2017), reporting requirements (October 24, 2017), delivery of processing decisions (October 24, 2017), and the boundary between government information disclosure and business inquiry matters (October 24, 2017).

National and Specialized Development Plans

The platform also publishes national economic and social development plans, which can signal policy direction. Available plans include the outlines for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) and 2035远景目标, and earlier plans from the 11th to the 13th Five-Year Plans. Specialized plans are also listed, such as:

• Special Education Development and Enhancement “15th Five-Year” Action Plan (approved by the State Council).
• Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization “15th Five-Year” Plan.
• National Fitness Plan (2026–2030).
• Expanding Consumption “15th Five-Year” Plan (approved).
• National Health “15th Five-Year” Plan.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Revitalization and Development “15th Five-Year” Plan (approved).

Local development plans for provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities are also accessible, covering all major regions such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and others.

Annual Reports on Information Disclosure Work

Government agencies at various levels publish annual reports on their information disclosure work. The platform provides reports for 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. These reports are organized by:

• Provincial-level governments (e.g., Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, etc.).
• Vertically managed 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 systems.
• State Council departments 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 reports can give foreign founders insight into how transparent various agencies are and what information is routinely disclosed.

How Foreign Founders Can Use This System

As a foreign founder, you may need to request government information for regulatory compliance or market research. The system allows you to submit information disclosure requests. The interpretations clarify that requests should be directed to the appropriate agency and that there are specific channels for submission. The fee measures indicate that processing fees may apply, so it’s wise to be precise in your requests.

When searching the platform, use specific keywords related to your industry or the regulation you need. The platform advises checking for input errors, simplifying search terms, or using synonyms if no results are found. Many documents are available directly online, such as the full text of the 2019 Regulation and various notices.

For company registration and ongoing operations, understanding these disclosure rules can help you locate the latest policy updates. For example, if you are in the education sector, the special education plan may be relevant; if in healthcare, the national health plan. Keeping track of annual reports can also reveal how agencies handle disclosure requests, which may be useful when you need to obtain specific documents.

Practical Tips for Navigating the Platform

• Use the search function effectively: Start with broad terms and narrow down. The platform suggests trying simplified or similar words.
• Check the publication date: Regulations and plans are updated over time; ensure you are referring to the most current version.
• Look for interpretations: The Q&A-style interpretations address common scenarios, such as where to send requests or how to handle institutional changes.
• Leverage annual reports: These reports summarize disclosure activities and can point you to frequently requested information.

While the platform is in Chinese, foreign founders can use translation tools or seek assistance from local professionals. ChinaMNC can help you navigate these resources and connect with the right agencies.

Conclusion

China’s government information disclosure system is designed to promote transparency and facilitate access to official documents. For foreign founders, it is a valuable tool for staying informed about regulations, policies, and government operations. By understanding the key regulations and using the available resources, you can better manage compliance and strategic planning for your China-based company.

Call to Action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.