Published by ChinaMNC · Dongchangfu

Accessing Government Information in Liaocheng: A Practical Guide for Foreign Founders

A clear overview of how foreign founders can obtain government information from the Liaocheng Municipal People's Government, including disclosure procedures, fees, and timelines, based on the official guide.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

When setting up or running a business in China, foreign founders often need official documents, regulations, and policy details. The Liaocheng Municipal People's Government has published a guide explaining how citizens, legal persons, and other organizations can access government information. This article summarizes the key points for foreign founders operating in Liaocheng.

What Information Is Available

The government proactively discloses several categories of information, including:

• Local regulations published as municipal government documents, government rules and documents formulated by the municipal government, and normative documents issued by the government office or jointly with other departments.
• Administrative and institutional fees, including items, basis, and standards; government centralized procurement catalogs, standards, and implementation; approval and implementation of major construction projects; supervision and inspection of environmental protection, public health, work safety, food and drug safety, and product quality; policies, measures, and implementation related to poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, and employment promotion; emergency response plans, early warning information, and response actions for public emergencies.

These categories give foreign founders insight into regulatory requirements, fee structures, and policy support in areas relevant to business operations.

How to Access Information

The primary channel is the Liaocheng Municipal Government website (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/). The government information disclosure guide is available there. Other channels include:

• Government websites.
• Press conferences (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_t_156_11574/).
• Social media accounts: Weibo (聊城发布, https://weibo.com/u/3768357411?is_hot=1) and WeChat (liaochengfabu).
• Reading points at the Municipal Archives (Address: No. 16 Wenhui Road, Jiangbei Water City Tourism Resort, Liaocheng; Telephone: 0635-8262321).

Office hours for the archives and government offices vary by season: October 1 to April 30: 8:30–12:00 and 14:00–17:30; May 1 to September 30: 8:30–12:00 and 14:30–18:00.

Proactive Disclosure Timelines

Information that the government proactively discloses is published within 20 working days from the date the information is formed or changed. If laws or regulations specify a different timeline, those provisions apply.

Requesting Information Not Proactively Disclosed

Citizens, legal persons, or other organizations can apply for government information beyond what is proactively disclosed. However, the government generally does not provide information that requires processing or analysis of existing information, unless it can be separated in accordance with Article 37 of the Regulations.

The application conditions and procedures are detailed in the application section (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_lc_lcsrmzfysqgk6896/). The government information disclosure application reception office handles applications.

How to Apply

• Complete the "Liaocheng Municipal People's Government Information Disclosure Application Form," available at reception points or downloadable from the government website.
• The form must accurately state the applicant's name or organization, contact details, and the desired method and format for receiving the information. Describe the requested information clearly, preferably with the document name, number, or other identifying details.
• 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 online via the "Online Application" section (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/ysqgk/frontDeskDept). Postal applications should be sent to: Government Information Disclosure Office, Liaocheng Municipal People's Government Office, No. 24 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Postal Code: 252000. Mark "Government Information Disclosure Application" on the envelope.

Fees

Information processing fees are charged according to the "Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure" (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and the Shandong Provincial People's Government Office's notice (Luzhengbanzi [2020] No. 179).

Processing Timeline

The government will respond immediately if possible. If not, it will respond within 20 working days from receipt of the application. If an extension is needed, the head of the government information disclosure office must approve it and notify the applicant in writing; the extension cannot exceed 20 working days. If the number or frequency of applications明显 exceeds a reasonable scope, the government may ask for justification. If the justification is unreasonable, it may refuse to process; if reasonable but cannot be answered within the 20-working-day period, it will set a reasonable delayed response time and inform the applicant.

Possible Responses

• If the information is disclosable, provide it or inform the applicant of the method, channel, and time to obtain it.
• If the information is not within the government's responsibility, inform the applicant and explain why; if the responsible agency can be identified, provide its name and contact details.
• If the applicant repeatedly requests the same information already answered, inform them that no repeated processing will be done.
• If the information relates to business registration or real estate registration and other laws or administrative regulations have special provisions, inform the applicant to follow those provisions.

Information That Will Not Be Disclosed

The government will not disclose:

• Information determined as state secrets, prohibited by laws or administrative regulations, or whose disclosure may endanger national security, public safety, economic security, or social stability.
• Information involving trade secrets, personal privacy, or other matters that would harm the legitimate rights of third parties if disclosed, unless the third party consents or the government determines that non-disclosure would significantly affect the public interest.
• Process information such as discussion records, drafts, correspondence, and request reports formed during administrative management, as well as administrative law enforcement case files, unless laws, regulations, or rules require disclosure.

Oversight

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

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