Published by ChinaMNC · Dongchangfu

Accessing Government Information in Liaocheng: A Guide for Foreign Founders

Practical guidance for foreign founders on how to obtain government information from the Liaocheng Municipal People's Government, including disclosure rules, application procedures, and fees.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, access to official government information is essential for compliance, due diligence, and understanding local regulations. The Liaocheng Municipal People's Government has published a guide on how to obtain government information from its office (referred to as “this office”). This article summarizes the key points from that guide, tailored for foreign founders.

What Information Is Available

The guide explains that the government proactively discloses certain information and also allows citizens, legal persons, and other organizations to request information that is not proactively disclosed. Proactively disclosed information includes:

• Local regulations and government rules: Local regulations published as municipal government documents, and government rules and documents formulated by the municipal government.
• Normative documents: Documents issued in the name of this office, or jointly issued by this office as the lead department with other departments.
• Administrative and institutional fees: Items, basis, and standards for administrative and institutional charges.
• Government procurement: Catalog, standards, and implementation of centralized government procurement projects.
• Major construction projects: Approval and implementation of major construction projects.
• Supervision and inspection: Supervision and inspection of environmental protection, public health, work safety, food and drug safety, and product quality.
• Policies and measures: Policies and measures related to poverty alleviation, education, medical care, social security, and employment promotion, as well as their implementation.
• Emergency management: Emergency response plans, early warning information, and response situations for public emergencies.

This information is made available through various channels, including the Liaocheng Municipal People's Government website, government press conferences, and official social media accounts such as “Liaocheng Release” on Weibo and WeChat. Additionally, government information reading points are set up at the Municipal Archives (address: 16 Wenhui Road, Jiangbei Water City Tourist Resort, Liaocheng; phone: 0635-8262321; opening hours: October 1 to April 30: 8:30-12:00, 14:00-17:30; May 1 to September 30: 8:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00).

How to Request Information

Citizens, legal persons, or other organizations can apply to this office for government information that is not proactively disclosed. However, except as provided in Article 37 of the Regulations, administrative organs generally do not provide information that requires processing or analysis of existing government information.

The application process is as follows:

• Obtain the application form: Fill out the “Liaocheng Municipal People's Government Information Disclosure Application Form,” which can be obtained at the application acceptance point or downloaded from the government information disclosure column on the Liaocheng Government website.
• Complete the form: Accurately state the applicant's name or title, contact information, and the manner and carrier form for obtaining the information. Describe the required information clearly; it is advisable to provide the name, document number, or other characteristic description to facilitate inquiry.
• Submit the application: For in-person applications, present a valid ID. For postal applications, attach a copy of a valid ID. For online applications, upload a scanned copy or photo of a valid ID.

Applications can be submitted by mail to: Government Information Disclosure Office, Liaocheng Municipal People's Government Office, 24 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Postal Code: 252000. The envelope must be marked “Government Information Disclosure Application.” Online applications can be submitted through the “Online Application” column on the Liaocheng Government website.

Processing and Fees

Upon receiving an application, the administrative organ will respond within 20 working days from the date of receipt. If an extension is needed, it must be approved by the head of the government information disclosure work机构 and the applicant will be notified in writing; the extension period shall not exceed 20 working days. If the information can be answered on the spot, it will be answered immediately.

Fees for information processing are charged in accordance with the “Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure” (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and the “Notice of the General Office of the Shandong Provincial People's Government on Matters Concerning the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure” (Luzhengbanzi [2020] No. 179).

What Information May Be Withheld

The guide notes that certain information is not disclosed, including:

• Information determined by law to be state secrets, information prohibited from disclosure by laws and administrative regulations, and information that may endanger national security, public safety, economic security, or social stability if disclosed.
• Information involving trade secrets, personal privacy, or other information that would harm the legitimate rights and interests of third parties if disclosed. However, if the third party consents to disclosure or if non-disclosure would significantly affect the public interest, the information may be disclosed.
• Process information such as discussion records, drafts, correspondence, and request reports formed in the course of performing administrative management functions, as well as information on administrative law enforcement case files, are not disclosed, unless laws, regulations, or rules require disclosure.

Oversight and Contact

The competent department for government information disclosure in Liaocheng is the Liaocheng Municipal People's Government Office, which is responsible for promoting, guiding, coordinating, and supervising the city's government information disclosure work.

Foreign founders are encouraged to utilize these channels to stay informed about local regulations and policies that may affect their business operations in Liaocheng.

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 company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.