Published by ChinaMNC · Anyi

China's Government Information Disclosure Platform: A Guide for Foreign Founders

A practical overview of China's government information disclosure system, including key regulations, planning documents, and annual reports, for foreign entrepreneurs setting up or operating a company in China.

Understanding China's Government Information Disclosure Platform

For foreign founders establishing or running a business in China, access to official government information is essential. The Chinese government operates a centralized platform for government information disclosure, which provides transparency on policies, regulations, and administrative data. This article summarizes the key features of the platform based on the official government website, offering practical guidance for foreign entrepreneurs.

Key Regulations on Government Information Disclosure

The platform lists several foundational regulations that govern how government information is disclosed. These include:

• Regulation of the People's Republic of China on Open Government Information (dated 2019-04-15) – the core regulation establishing the framework for information disclosure.
• Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Formulation of Provisions on Information Disclosure of Public Enterprises and Institutions (2020-12-21) – guidelines for public entities.
• Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (2020-12-01) – outlines fee structures for processing information requests.
• Notice on Forwarding the Guiding Opinions of the Ministry of Justice on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Administrative Reconsideration Cases of Government Information Disclosure (2022-01-04) – legal guidance on handling disputes.
• Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Centralized Disclosure and Dynamic Update of Rules and Regulations (2021-10-29) – ensures regulations are kept current.
• Notice on Issuing the Format of the Annual Report on Government Information Disclosure Work of the People's Republic of China (2021-09-29) – standardizes annual reporting.
• Notice on Matters Concerning the Standardization of Government Information Disclosure Platforms (2019-12-03) – provides platform standards.
• Interpretations on Various Issues (2017-2019) – covering topics such as application handling after institutional reforms, reception channels for requests, response subjects, annual report filling, delivery of processing decisions, and the boundary between information disclosure and business inquiries.

These regulations set the legal basis for how foreign founders can request and access government information.

National and Specialized Development Plans

The platform also provides access to national economic and social development plans, which can inform strategic planning for businesses. These include:

• Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development
• Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan and Long-Range Objectives Through 2035
• Outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan
• Outline of the 12th Five-Year Plan
• Outline of the 11th Five-Year Plan
• Outline of the 10th Five-Year Plan

Additionally, specialized plans are listed, such as:

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

These plans can signal government priorities and potential areas of support or regulation affecting foreign businesses.

Local Development Plans

The platform provides links to local development plans for provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, 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 should consult these local plans as they often contain specific policies relevant to regional operations.

Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure Work

The platform publishes annual reports on government information disclosure work for various years, including 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. These reports are categorized into:

• Provincial (regional, municipal) government information disclosure work annual reports – covering all provinces and equivalent administrative units.
• Annual reports for systems under vertical leadership – including the People's Bank system, customs system, tax system, financial supervision and administration system, securities regulatory system, meteorological system, grain and strategic reserves system, tobacco system, railway system, civil aviation system, postal system, mining safety supervision system, fire rescue system, and foreign exchange system.
• Annual reports for State Council departments – covering ministries and commissions 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, 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 Defense, 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 Bureau, National Archives Administration, National Administration of State Secrets Protection, China Film Administration, and China Earthquake Administration.

These annual reports provide insights into how government information disclosure is implemented across different sectors and regions, which can help foreign founders understand administrative practices.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

Foreign entrepreneurs can use the platform to:

• Stay informed about regulatory changes and policy directions that may affect their business.
• Understand the procedures for requesting government information, including any associated fees.
• Access national and local development plans to identify opportunities and compliance requirements.
• Review annual reports to gauge the transparency and efficiency of government agencies they may interact with.

It is advisable to consult the platform regularly and to seek professional advice when interpreting specific regulations.

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