Published by ChinaMNC · Dechang

Navigating China’s Government Information Disclosure System for Foreign Founders

A practical guide for foreign founders on how China’s government information disclosure platform works, what regulations govern it, and how to access official documents and annual reports.

Why Government Information Disclosure Matters for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders setting up or operating a company in China, access to official government information is essential for compliance, planning, and due diligence. The Chinese government maintains a centralized platform for publicizing government information, governed by the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information (effective since April 15, 2019). This system defines what information must be disclosed, how it is published, and how the public—including foreign investors—can request access. Understanding this framework helps foreign founders locate authoritative regulations, policy documents, and annual reports that affect business operations.

Key Regulations and Notices

The platform lists several normative documents that shape the disclosure process. These include:

• The Regulations on Open Government Information (2019), which set the basic rules for disclosure.
• A 2020 notice from the General Office of the State Council on measures for formulating disclosure rules for public enterprises and institutions.
• A 2020 notice on the management of information processing fees for government information disclosure.
• A 2022 notice forwarding the Ministry of Justice’s guidance on administrative reconsideration cases related to government information disclosure.
• A 2021 notice on centralized and dynamic publication of departmental rules.
• A 2021 notice on the format of annual reports on government information disclosure.
• A 2019 notice on standardizing government information disclosure platforms.
• A series of interpretations from the State Council’s information and open government office addressing issues such as handling applications after institutional reforms, channels for receiving applications, the proper authority for responding, filling out annual reports, delivery of decisions, and the boundary between information disclosure and business inquiries.

These documents provide the procedural backbone for how government bodies at all levels publish information and respond to requests.

Types of Information Available

The platform organizes disclosed information into several categories that are relevant to foreign founders:

National Economic and Social Development Plans

This section includes the outlines of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Five-Year Plans for national economic and social development, as well as earlier plans dating back to the 10th Five-Year Plan. These plans outline strategic priorities that can affect business sectors and investment directions.

Sector-Specific Plans

Specialized plans are published, such as the Action Plan for the Development of Special Education (15th Five-Year Plan period), the Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization Plan (15th Five-Year Plan period), the National Fitness Plan (2026–2030), the Consumption Expansion Plan (15th Five-Year Plan period), the National Health Plan (15th Five-Year Plan period), and the Plan for the Revitalization and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (15th Five-Year Plan period). These documents signal policy support for specific industries and may inform market entry strategies.

Local Development Plans

The platform provides access to development plans for all provincial-level regions, 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. Foreign founders can review local plans to understand regional priorities and incentives.

Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure

The platform publishes annual reports on government information disclosure for recent years (2020 through 2025 are listed). These reports are available for:

• Provincial-level governments (all 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities).
• Vertically managed systems, including 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. Note that the composition of these systems varies by year; for example, the 2022 reports include the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, while later years list a Financial Supervision Administration.
• State Council departments, covering ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Commerce, People’s Bank of China, State Taxation Administration, State Administration for Market Regulation, National Intellectual Property Administration, and many others.

These reports summarize how each government body has fulfilled its disclosure obligations and can provide insight into regulatory transparency and enforcement trends.

How to Search and Request Information

The platform includes a search function for policy documents by title, document number, or date. If a search yields no results, the system suggests checking for input errors, simplifying search terms, or trying similar or common words. For information not proactively published, foreign founders can file a request under the disclosure regulations. The platform provides interpretations on application channels and the proper authorities for handling requests, which can help avoid procedural pitfalls.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Leverage official sources: Use the government information disclosure platform to access authoritative texts of regulations, plans, and annual reports rather than relying on secondary interpretations.
• Understand the request process: Familiarize yourself with the interpretations on application channels and response authorities to ensure your information requests are directed correctly.
• Monitor policy signals: Sector-specific and local development plans can indicate government priorities and potential regulatory changes that may affect your business.
• Use annual reports for due diligence: Annual disclosure reports can reveal how transparent a particular agency or region has been, which may be relevant when assessing regulatory risk.

By engaging with China’s government information disclosure system, foreign founders can make more informed decisions and maintain compliance with evolving regulations.

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.