Published by ChinaMNC · Guan

A Foreign Founder’s Guide to Accessing Government Information in Liaocheng

Practical guidance for foreign founders on how to obtain government information from the Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government, including disclosure procedures, timelines, fees, and points of contact.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

When setting up or running a company in China, foreign founders often need official documents, policy clarifications, and regulatory 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 from that guide for foreign founders operating in Liaocheng or considering investment there.

What Information Is Available

The government proactively discloses certain categories of information. According to the guide, these include:

• Local regulations and government rules issued as municipal government documents, as well as normative documents published by the government office or jointly with other departments.
• Administrative and institutional fees: items, basis, and standards.
• Government procurement: catalogs, standards, and implementation details.
• Major construction projects: approval and implementation status.
• Supervision and inspection in areas such as environmental protection, public health, workplace safety, food and drug safety, and product quality.
• Policies and measures related to poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, social security, and employment promotion, along with their implementation.
• Emergency preparedness: contingency plans, early warnings, and response actions for public incidents.

This information is made available through the Liaocheng government website and other channels.

How to Access Information

Online

The primary portal is the Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government website (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/). A dedicated section for government information disclosure provides access to published documents and application procedures. The guide also mentions a specific channel for government information: http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_659e3fb0497bec42f3c24c5f/.

In Person

Government information reading points are available at the Municipal Archives (address: No. 16 Wenhui Road, Jiangbei Water City Tourist Resort, Liaocheng; phone: 0635-8262321). Opening hours are seasonal:

• October 1 – April 30: 8:30–12:00 and 14:00–17:30.
• May 1 – September 30: 8:30–12:00 and 14:30–18:00.

Other Channels

The government also releases information through press conferences (website: http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_t_156_11574/) and social media accounts under “Liaocheng Release” on Weibo (https://weibo.com/u/3768357411) and WeChat (ID: liaochengfabu), as well as other government new media platforms.

Proactive Disclosure Timelines

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

Requesting Information Not Proactively Disclosed

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

The application conditions and procedures are detailed in the “Application for Disclosure” section (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/channel_lc_lcsrmzfysqgk6896/). The government office’s information disclosure application acceptance body handles requests from citizens, legal persons, and other organizations.

How to Submit a Request

Office hours for the acceptance body:

• May 1 – September 30 (workdays): 8:30–12:00 and 14:30–18:00.
• October 1 – April 30 (workdays): 8:30–12:00 and 14:00–17:30.

By mail: Send to the Government Affairs Disclosure Office, Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government Office, No. 24 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng. Postal code: 252000. Mark “Government Information Disclosure Application” on the lower left corner of the envelope.

Online: Submit through the “Online Application” section on the Liaocheng government website (http://www.liaocheng.gov.cn/ysqgk/frontDeskDept).

Application Requirements

1. Complete the “Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government Information Disclosure Application Form”. The form is available at the application acceptance point or can be downloaded and printed from the government information disclosure column on the Liaocheng government website.
2. The form must accurately state the applicant’s name or title, contact information, and the desired method and format for receiving the information. The description of the requested information should be clear and specific; providing the document name, number, or other identifying details is recommended.
3. 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.

Fees

Information processing fees are charged in accordance with the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109) and the Notice of the General Office of the Shandong Provincial People’s Government on Matters Concerning the Administration of Information Processing Fees for Government Information Disclosure (Luzhengbanzi [2020] No. 179).

Processing and Response

If the requested information can be disclosed, the applicant will receive the information or be informed of the method, channel, and time to obtain it. If the information is not within the responsibility of the office, the applicant will be notified with reasons; if the responsible agency can be identified, its name and contact details will be provided. If the applicant repeatedly requests the same information already answered, no repeated processing will occur. For information such as business registration or real estate registration data, applicants will be directed to follow relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Time limits: If a response can be given on the spot, it will be. Otherwise, a response will be provided 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 the applicant will be notified in writing; the extension may not exceed 20 working days.

If the number or frequency of requests明显 exceeds a reasonable scope, the office may require the applicant to explain the reasons. If the reasons are unreasonable, the request will not be processed. If the reasons are reasonable but a response cannot be made within the time limit specified in Article 33 of the Regulations, a reasonable delayed response period will be determined and communicated to the applicant.

If an application does not comply with the Regulations, the applicant will be informed of the situation or directed to consult relevant units or follow other procedures.

What Information Is Not Disclosed

The following types of information are not disclosed:

• Information determined by law to be state secrets, information prohibited from disclosure by laws or administrative regulations, and information that could endanger national security, public safety, economic security, or social stability if disclosed.
• Information involving trade secrets, personal privacy, or other legitimate rights and interests of third parties that would be harmed by disclosure. However, such information may be disclosed if the third party consents or if non-disclosure would significantly affect the public interest.
• Process information such as discussion records, drafts, consultation letters, and request reports formed during the performance of administrative functions, as well as administrative law enforcement case files, are not disclosed, unless laws, regulations, or rules require disclosure.

Oversight

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

Call to Action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

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