Published by ChinaMNC · Shimen

Accessing Government Information in Changde: A Guide for Foreign Founders

A practical overview of how foreign founders can obtain government information from the Changde Municipal People's Government, including disclosure rules, application procedures, and timelines.

Why Government Information Matters for Foreign Founders

When setting up or running a company in China, foreign founders often need official information about local regulations, policies, and administrative procedures. The Changde Municipal People's Government has published a guide explaining how the public can access government information. This article summarizes the key points from that guide, focusing on what foreign founders need to know.

What Information Is Disclosed Proactively

The Changde government follows the principle of making disclosure the norm and non-disclosure the exception. It proactively releases information that affects public interests, that the public needs to know, or that requires public participation in decision-making, in accordance with the relevant regulations. The scope of proactive disclosure is gradually expanded based on higher-level requirements and local conditions.

Proactively disclosed information is made available within 20 working days from the date it is formed or changed, unless other laws or regulations specify a different time limit.

Where to Find Government Information

Foreign founders can access government information through several official channels:

• Official website: The Changde Municipal People's Government portal (https://www.changde.gov.cn) has a government information disclosure section.
• WeChat account: The public can follow the "Changde Municipal People's Government" WeChat official account by searching for that name on WeChat.
• Government Gazette: The printed gazette is available at the Changde City Archives and the Changde Government Service Center. The electronic version can be found on the government website's "Government Gazette" column (https://www.changde.gov.cn/zwgk/zfgb/index.html).

Additionally, the guide lists specific office addresses and hours:

• Citizen's Home, 1st Floor, Intersection of Langzhou North Road and Yueliang Avenue, Changde. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00 (excluding national statutory holidays).
• No. 88 Jianshe East Road, Wuling District, Changde. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00–12:00 and 14:30–17:30 (winter schedule) or 15:00–18:00 (summer schedule) (excluding national statutory holidays).

How to Apply for Information Not Proactively Disclosed

If the information you need is not proactively disclosed, you can file an application. The government will provide information according to the regulations and the actual state of the information it holds; it will not compile, analyze, process, or create new information in response to a request.

Application Process

To apply, you must complete the "Changde Municipal People's Government Information Disclosure Application Form" (the Application Form) in writing. The form is available at the receiving office or can be downloaded from the government portal. Copies are acceptable.

Submission methods:

• In person: Submit the form at the designated office.
• By mail: Mark "Government Information Disclosure Application" on the lower left corner of the envelope.
• By fax: Mark "Government Information Disclosure Application" accordingly.
• Online: Use the "Application for Disclosure" system in the "Government Information Disclosure" section of the government portal. After submission, you can check the status using the query code provided by the system.
• By email: Send the electronic form to [email protected].

What Happens After You Apply

If your application is unclear, the government will provide guidance and ask you to supplement it within 7 working days from receipt, specifying what needs to be corrected and a reasonable deadline. The response period starts from the date the corrected application is received. If you fail to correct without justification, the application is considered abandoned.

Responses to applications:

• If the information is disclosable, the government will provide it or tell you how and when to obtain it.
• If the information is not within the government's responsibility to disclose, it will inform you and explain why; if possible, it will identify the responsible agency and its contact details.
• If you make a repeated request for the same information after a previous response, the government will inform you that it will not process it again.
• For information such as business registration or real estate registration records, special laws and regulations may apply, and the government will direct you to those provisions.

If a response can be given on the spot, it will be. Otherwise, the government will respond within 20 working days from receipt. If an extension is needed, it may be extended by up to 20 working days with the approval of the responsible official, and you will be notified.

Fees and Limitations

Government information disclosed upon request is provided free of charge. However, if the number or frequency of requests clearly exceeds a reasonable range, the government may charge a fee according to the relevant regulations.

Certain information is 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.
• Information involving trade secrets or personal privacy that would harm the legitimate rights of third parties, unless the third party consents or non-disclosure would significantly affect the public interest.
• Process-related information such as discussion records, drafts, correspondence, and reports formed during administrative management, as well as administrative law enforcement case files, may be withheld unless laws or regulations require disclosure.

Contact and Oversight

The Changde Municipal People's Government has designated the Changde Data Bureau (Changde Administrative Approval Service Bureau) as the government information disclosure work agency. The General Office of the Changde Municipal People's Government has designated the Comprehensive Second Section as its information disclosure work agency. Contact details and office hours are available from the government.

If you believe your lawful rights have been infringed in the handling of your information request, you may complain to a higher administrative organ or the competent department, or apply for administrative reconsideration or file an administrative lawsuit.

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.