Published by ChinaMNC · Qingyuanmanzu

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

A practical overview of China's government information disclosure platform, outlining key regulations, planning documents, and annual reports that foreign founders should understand when registering or operating a company in China.

Understanding China's Government Information Disclosure Platform

For foreign founders establishing or running a company in China, access to official government information is essential for compliance and strategic planning. The Chinese government maintains a centralized platform for government information disclosure, which serves as a repository for regulations, plans, and annual reports. This article summarizes the key elements of that platform, based solely on the official source, and explains how foreign entrepreneurs can use it.

Key Regulations and Notices on Information Disclosure

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

• Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Government Information Disclosure (dated 2019-04-15) – the core legal framework.
• Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Formulation of Provisions on Information Disclosure of Public Enterprises and Institutions (2020-12-21).
• Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (2020-12-01) – relevant if you request government information and fees may apply.
• 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).
• Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Centralized Disclosure and Dynamic Update of Rules and Regulations (2021-10-29).
• Notice on Issuing the Format of Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure Work of the People's Republic of China (2021-09-29).
• Notice on Matters Concerning the Standardization of Government Information Disclosure Platforms (2019-12-03).
• Interpretations on Issues Concerning the Handling of Government Information Disclosure Applications after Institutional Reform (2019-02-11).
• Interpretation on Issues Concerning the Channels for Receiving Government Information Disclosure Applications (2017-10-24).
• Interpretation on Issues Concerning the Subject of Reply to Government Information Disclosure Applications (2017-10-24).
• Interpretation on Issues Concerning the Filling of Items in Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure (2017-10-24).
• Interpretation on Issues Concerning the Delivery of Government Information Disclosure Processing Decisions (2017-10-24).
• Interpretation on Clarifying the Boundary between Government Information Disclosure and Business Inquiry Matters (2017-10-24).

These documents set out the procedures, fees, and legal interpretations that govern how government information is disclosed. Foreign founders may need to reference them when seeking information from authorities.

National Economic and Social Development Plans

The platform provides access to China's five-year plans, which outline the country's strategic direction. Available plans include:

• The 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (in progress).
• The 14th Five-Year Plan and the Long-Range Objectives Through 2035.
• The 13th Five-Year Plan.
• The 12th Five-Year Plan.
• The 11th Five-Year Plan.
• The 10th Five-Year Plan.

These plans can inform foreign founders about priority sectors and regional development strategies.

Sector-Specific and Local Development Plans

In addition to national plans, the platform lists various specialized plans and local development plans. Examples of specialized plans include:

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

Local development plans are available for all 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 can use these plans to assess regional incentives and regulatory environments.

Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure Work

The platform publishes annual reports on government information disclosure work for recent years (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020). These reports are organized by:

• Provincial-level governments – reports from all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
• Vertically managed systems – including the People's Bank system, Customs system, Tax system, Financial Regulatory Bureau system, Securities Regulatory Commission system, Meteorological Bureau system, Grain and Material Reserves Bureau system, Tobacco Bureau system, Railway Bureau system, Civil Aviation Administration system, Postal Bureau system, Mine Safety Supervision system, Fire and Rescue Bureau system, and Foreign Exchange Bureau system.
• State Council departments – reports from 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 Bureau of Statistics, National Intellectual Property Administration, National 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 transparency on how government information is disclosed and can be a resource for understanding administrative practices.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders can use the government information disclosure platform to:

• Access the legal framework for information disclosure, which may be relevant when requesting government information or appealing decisions.
• Review national and local development plans to identify business opportunities and regulatory trends.
• Consult annual reports to understand how government agencies comply with disclosure requirements.

It is advisable to check the platform regularly for updates, as new plans and reports are published periodically.

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