Published by ChinaMNC · Wuxue

A Guide to China’s Government Information Disclosure System for Foreign Founders

Practical guidance for foreign founders on navigating China’s government information disclosure platform, including key regulations, planning documents, and annual reports, based on official government sources.

Understanding China’s Government Information Disclosure System

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, access to reliable government information is essential. The Chinese government operates a centralized platform for publicizing government information, which serves as a key resource for understanding the regulatory environment. This article provides practical guidance on navigating that platform and highlights the types of information available.

Key Regulations on Government Information Disclosure

The legal framework for government information disclosure is set out in the Regulations on Open Government Information of the People’s Republic of China, effective from April 15, 2019. This regulation establishes the principles and procedures for government agencies at all levels to disclose information to the public.

Several supplementary notices and measures have been issued by the General Office of the State Council to clarify implementation details. These include:

• A notice on measures for the administration of information processing fees for government information disclosure (December 1, 2020).
• A notice on the formulation of rules for information disclosure by public enterprises and institutions (December 21, 2020).
• Guidance on handling administrative reconsideration cases related to government information disclosure (January 4, 2022).
• A notice on the centralized and dynamic publication of departmental rules (October 29, 2021).
• A notice on the format of annual reports on government information disclosure (September 29, 2021).
• Provisions on standardizing government information disclosure platforms (December 3, 2019).
• Interpretations addressing issues such as the handling of applications after institutional reforms (February 11, 2019), channels for receiving applications (October 24, 2017), the subject of replies to applications (October 24, 2017), and the distinction between information disclosure and business inquiries (October 24, 2017).

Foreign founders should be aware that these rules govern how government information is made available and how requests for information are processed.

National and Specialized Development Plans

The platform provides access to national economic and social development plans, which outline China’s strategic priorities. These include the outlines of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the 14th Five-Year Plan and Long-Range Objectives Through 2035, and earlier five-year plans dating back to the 10th Five-Year Plan.

Sector-specific plans are also published, such as:

• The 15th Five-Year Action Plan for the Development and Enhancement of Special Education.
• The 15th Five-Year Plan for Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization.
• The National Fitness Plan (2026–2030).
• The 15th Five-Year Plan for Expanding Consumption.
• The 15th Five-Year Plan for National Health.
• The 15th Five-Year Plan for the Revitalization and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

These plans can signal upcoming policy directions and regulatory changes that may affect foreign businesses. Additionally, local development plans for each province, autonomous region, and municipality are available, offering insights into regional priorities.

Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure

Government agencies at various levels are required to publish annual reports on their information disclosure work. The platform hosts these reports for recent years, including 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020.

The reports are organized by:

• Provincial-level governments: Reports from all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities (e.g., 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, Xinjiang).
• 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 administrations.
• 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, National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, National Health Commission, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Management, People’s Bank of China, National Audit Office, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, General Administration of Customs, State Taxation Administration, State Administration for Market Regulation, National Financial Regulatory Administration, China Securities Regulatory Commission, National Radio and Television Administration, General Administration of Sport, National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration, National Bureau of Statistics, China National Intellectual Property Administration, China International Development Cooperation Agency, National Healthcare Security Administration, National Government Offices Administration, National Press and Publication Administration, National Copyright Administration, China Meteorological Administration, National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, National Energy Administration, National Data Administration, State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence, State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, National Immigration Administration, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, National Railway Administration, Civil Aviation Administration of China, State Post Bureau, National Cultural Heritage Administration, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, National Mine Safety Administration, National Fire and Rescue Administration, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, National Medical Products Administration, National Civil Service Administration, National Archives Administration, National Administration of State Secrets Protection, China Film Administration, and China Earthquake Administration.

These annual reports provide transparency on how government agencies fulfill their disclosure obligations and can be a useful reference for understanding administrative practices.

Using the Information Platform Effectively

The platform allows users to search for policy documents by title, document number, or date. If a search returns no results, the system suggests checking for input errors, simplifying keywords, or using similar or common terms. Foreign founders should note that the platform is primarily in Chinese, so working with a local advisor or using translation tools may be necessary.

For those seeking specific information, the platform also outlines the procedures for making information disclosure requests. Applications can be submitted through designated channels, and agencies are required to respond in accordance with the regulations. The interpretations issued by the State Council’s information disclosure office clarify common issues, such as the proper authority for replies and the delivery of decisions.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Stay informed on regulatory changes: Regularly check the platform for new regulations, notices, and plans that may impact your industry.
• Leverage annual reports: Use agency annual reports to understand how information disclosure works in practice and to identify contacts or procedures.
• Understand your rights: The regulations grant the public, including foreign-invested enterprises, the right to request government information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Seek local support: Given the language and procedural nuances, consider engaging local professionals to help navigate the system.

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.