Published by ChinaMNC · Yanggu

How Foreign Founders Can Access Government Information in Liaocheng: A Practical Guide

A guide for foreign founders on obtaining government information from the Liaocheng Municipal Government, including proactive disclosure, application procedures, fees, and timelines, based on the official government information disclosure guide.

Accessing Government Information in Liaocheng: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, understanding local government information disclosure rules is essential for compliance and informed decision-making. This guide summarizes the key points from the Liaocheng Municipal Government's information disclosure guide, focusing on how to obtain information proactively published or available upon request.

Proactive Disclosure: What Information Is Available?

The Liaocheng Municipal Government and its General Office (referred to as “this organ”) proactively disclose certain government information to enhance transparency and support economic activities. This information is published within 20 working days from the date it is formed or changed, unless otherwise stipulated by laws or regulations.

Proactively disclosed information includes:

• Local regulations published as municipal government documents, government rules and documents formulated by the municipal government, and normative documents issued in the name of this organ or jointly with other departments.
• Items, basis, and standards for administrative and institutional fees; catalogs, standards, and implementation of government centralized procurement projects; 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.

Where to Find Proactively Disclosed Information

Foreign founders can access this information through the following channels:

• Government website: http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_659e3fb0497bec42f3c24c5f/
• Government press conferences: http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_t_156_11574/
• Social media: Weibo account “聊城发布” (https://weibo.com/u/3768357411?is_hot=1) and WeChat official account “liaochengfabu”.
• On-site reading points: The Municipal Archives (Address: No. 16 Wenhui Road, Jiangbei Water City Tourism Resort, Liaocheng; Telephone: 0635-8262321) and other designated locations.

Office hours for these reading points are: 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.

Requesting Information Not Proactively Disclosed

Citizens, legal persons, or other organizations may apply to this organ for government information beyond what is proactively disclosed. However, the organ generally does not provide information that requires processing or analysis of existing government information, except as permitted under Article 37 of the Regulations.

To apply, submit a request through one of the following methods:

• Online: Use the “Online Application” section on the Liaocheng Government Website (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/ysqgk/frontDeskDept).
• By mail: Send to the Government Information Disclosure Office, General Office of Liaocheng Municipal Government, No. 24 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Postal Code: 252000. Mark “Government Information Disclosure Application” on the lower left corner of the envelope.
• In person: Visit the application receipt point (details in Section 4 of the guide).

The application must include a completed “Liaocheng Municipal Government Information Disclosure Application Form,” which can be obtained at the receipt point or downloaded from the government website. The form should accurately state the applicant's name, contact information, and the desired form of access. Describe the requested information clearly, preferably with the document name, reference number, or other identifying details.

For in-person applications, present a valid ID. For mail applications, attach a copy of your ID. For online applications, upload a scanned copy or photo of your ID.

Fees and Processing Timelines

Information processing fees are charged in accordance with the “Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure” (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and the relevant notice from the General Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government (Luzhengbanzi [2020] No. 179).

If the requested information can be disclosed, the organ will provide it or inform the applicant of the manner, channel, and time to obtain it. If the information is not within the responsibility of this organ, the applicant will be informed with reasons, and if possible, the responsible agency's name and contact details will be provided. For repeated requests for the same information, no repeated processing will be done.

For information such as business registration or real estate registration, special provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations apply.

Response time: If a request can be answered on the spot, it will be. Otherwise, a response will be provided within 20 working days from receipt. If an extension is needed, the head of the information disclosure office must approve it, and the applicant will be notified in writing. The maximum extension is 20 working days.

If the number or frequency of requests明显 exceeds a reasonable scope, the organ may require justification. If the justification is unreasonable, the request may be rejected. If reasonable but cannot be answered within the statutory period, a reasonable delay will be determined and communicated.

Information That Will Not Be Disclosed

The following information will not be disclosed:

• 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 legitimate rights of third parties that would be harmed by disclosure, unless the third party consents or non-disclosure would significantly affect the public interest.
• Process information such as discussion records, drafts, correspondence, and requests for instructions formed during administrative management, as well as administrative law enforcement case files, unless laws, regulations, or rules require disclosure.

The Liaocheng Municipal Government Office is the competent authority for government information disclosure, responsible for promoting, guiding, coordinating, and supervising the city's 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.