Published by ChinaMNC · Baoding

How China's Government Information Disclosure System Helps Foreign Founders

A guide for foreign founders on using China's government information disclosure platform to access regulations, plans, and annual reports that affect company registration and operations.

Understanding China's Government Information Disclosure System

For foreign founders setting up or running a business in China, access to official government information is essential. The Chinese government operates a centralized platform for government information disclosure (政府信息公开平台) on gov.cn. This platform provides access to a wide range of documents, including regulations, plans, and annual reports, which can help you stay informed about the legal and policy environment.

The platform is governed by the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Government Information Disclosure (中华人民共和国政府信息公开条例), originally issued in 2019 (with a date of 2019-04-15). These regulations set the framework for how government information is made public.

Key Documents Available on the Platform

The platform hosts various notices and measures that clarify how information disclosure works. Some notable documents include:

• Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (国务院办公厅关于印发《政府信息公开信息处理费管理办法》的通知), published on 2020-12-01.
• Notice on the Format of Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure Work (国务院办公厅政府信息与政务公开办公室关于印发《中华人民共和国政府信息公开工作年度报告格式》的通知), published on 2021-09-29.
• Notice on Matters Related to Standardizing Government Information Disclosure Platforms (国务院办公厅政府信息与政务公开办公室关于规范政府信息公开平台有关事项的通知), published on 2019-12-03.
• Interpretation on Issues Concerning the Handling of Government Information Disclosure Applications after Institutional Reform (国务院办公厅政府信息与政务公开办公室关于机构改革后政府信息公开申请办理问题的解释), published on 2019-02-11.
• Interpretation on Issues Concerning the Channels for Receiving Government Information Disclosure Applications (国务院办公厅政府信息与政务公开办公室关于政府信息公开申请接收渠道问题的解释), published on 2017-10-24.

These documents can help you understand how to request information and what fees might apply.

National Development Plans

The platform also provides access to national economic and social development plans, which outline China's strategic direction. These include:

• The 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (中华人民共和国国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划纲要).
• The 14th Five-Year Plan and the Long-Range Objectives Through 2035 (中华人民共和国国民经济和社会发展第十四个五年规划和2035年远景目标纲要).
• Earlier five-year plans, from the 10th to the 13th.

These plans can inform your long-term business strategy by highlighting priority sectors and regions.

Sector-Specific Plans

The platform also lists approvals and notices for various sector-specific plans, such as:

• Special Education Development and Enhancement “15th Five-Year” Action Plan (特殊教育发展提升“十五五”行动计划).
• Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization “15th Five-Year” Plan (知识产权保护和运用“十五五”规划).
• National Fitness Plan (2026-2030) (全民健身计划（2026—2030年）).
• Expanding Consumption “15th Five-Year” Plan (扩大消费“十五五”规划).
• National Health “15th Five-Year” Plan (国民健康“十五五”规划).
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Revitalization and Development “15th Five-Year” Plan (中医药振兴发展“十五五”规划).

These plans can signal opportunities in specific industries.

Local Development Plans

In addition to national 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. These can help you assess regional policies that may affect your operations.

Annual Reports on Government Information Disclosure

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

• Provincial-level governments (省（区、市）政府信息公开工作年度报告).
• Vertically managed systems (实行垂直领导的系统政府信息公开工作年度报告), such as the People's Bank system, Customs system, Tax system, Financial Supervision and Administration 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.
• Departments of the State Council (国务院部门政府信息公开工作年度报告), including 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, 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 can provide insights into how government information disclosure is implemented across different agencies and regions.

Practical Use for Foreign Founders

As a foreign founder, you can use this platform to:

• Access regulations and measures that affect business registration and operations.
• Understand the process for requesting government information, including any fees.
• Stay informed about national and local development plans that may create opportunities or affect your industry.
• Review annual reports to gauge the transparency and responsiveness of government agencies.

The platform is updated regularly, and documents are categorized by title, document number, date of formation, and publication date.

Conclusion

China's government information disclosure platform is a valuable resource for foreign founders. By using it, you can make more informed decisions about your business in China.

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.