Published by ChinaMNC · Yanjin

Xinxiang Government Information Disclosure Guide: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

A practical guide for foreign entrepreneurs on how to access government information in Xinxiang, China, including procedures, timelines, and costs, to support company registration and compliance.

Why Government Information Disclosure Matters for Your China Company

When setting up a business in China, access to official government information is crucial for compliance and informed decision-making. The Xinxiang Municipal Government has published a guide on its information disclosure practices, outlining how citizens, legal entities, and organizations can obtain government information. For foreign founders, understanding these procedures can help you navigate regulatory requirements, verify policies, and ensure your company operates transparently.

This article summarizes key points from the Xinxiang Government Information Disclosure Guide, focusing on what international entrepreneurs need to know to access information relevant to company registration and ongoing operations.

How Government Information Is Organized

The Xinxiang government maintains a catalog of disclosed information in electronic format. Each entry includes several elements: an index number, information category, title, generation date, and publishing agency. Understanding these elements can help you locate specific documents efficiently.

• Index Number: A unique code consisting of unit code, category code, year of generation, and serial number, separated by hyphens (e.g., unit code-category code-year-serial number). This number is essential for requesting specific information.
• Information Title: The title should accurately reflect the content. For official documents, it is the formal title; for other information, a descriptive title is created. Always use the full or standard abbreviated name.
• Generation Date: The date the information was officially formed or changed. For government documents, this is the issue date (for jointly issued documents, the last issue date). For non-document information, it is the date the information became fully available to the public. Dates are formatted as YYYY-MM-DD.
• Publishing Agency: The entity responsible for the information. For documents issued by multiple agencies, the agency that compiled the document number is considered the publisher. For non-document information, the main compiling agency is the publisher. Full names must be used.

What this means for you: When searching for information related to business registration, licenses, or regulations, use the index number or title to identify the correct document. This can save time and ensure you reference the authoritative source.

How to Access Government Information

The Xinxiang government provides several channels for accessing public information:

• Official Website: The primary portal is the Xinxiang Municipal People's Government website (https://www.xinxiang.gov.cn). Here you can find government gazettes, policies, and announcements. The website offers search, download, and print functions.
• Government Gazette: The Xinxiang Municipal People's Government Gazette is available in both paper and electronic formats. Paper copies can be consulted at municipal, county, and township government service halls, as well as the Xinxiang Library and Archives. The electronic version is accessible on the government website and is searchable.
• Press Conferences: The government holds press conferences to disseminate important information.
• Active Disclosure: Information within the scope of active disclosure is published within 20 working days from its formation or change. If laws or regulations specify otherwise, those provisions apply.

For information not actively disclosed, you can file a request for disclosure. The following sections explain how.

Requesting Information Not Publicly Available

If you need government information that is not proactively disclosed, you can submit a request to the Municipal Government's Government Information Disclosure Office. The office will provide the information as it exists, without processing, analyzing, or otherwise handling it.

How to Submit a Request

• In Person: You can visit the Government Information Disclosure Office. Bring valid identification (and a copy) and fill out the application form. If writing is difficult, you may apply orally. It is advisable to call ahead to confirm.
• By Mail: Download and print the application form from the "Government Information Disclosure - Disclosure Guide" section on the Xinxiang government website. Fill it out and mail it to the office. Clearly mark "Government Information Disclosure Application" on the envelope. Only China Post deliveries are accepted.
• Not Accepted: Requests via phone or email are not accepted. However, you can use phone or email for inquiries about services.

What this means for you: If you need specific regulations or policy documents for your business registration, first check the official website. If not available, submit a formal request via mail or in person. Ensure your application clearly describes the information you need.

Processing Timelines and Requirements

Upon receiving your request, the office will review it. If the request is unclear, they will inform you within 7 working days and ask for clarification. You generally have 7 working days to respond. If you fail to do so without justification, the request may be deemed abandoned.

Requests are processed in the order received. If a response can be given on the spot, it will be. Otherwise, you will receive a response within 20 working days. In special cases, the deadline may be extended by up to 20 working days, with notification. Time spent consulting third parties or other agencies is not counted.

If the information concerns third-party rights or other agencies, the office will seek their opinions, which may extend the processing time.

What this means for you: Plan ahead when requesting information. Allow sufficient time for processing, especially if your request involves multiple parties. Clear and precise requests help avoid delays.

Possible Outcomes of Your Request

The office may respond in various ways depending on the nature of your request:

• If the information is not within the scope of the agency's responsibility, they will inform you and, if possible, provide the name and contact of the responsible agency.
• If you make repeated requests for the same information that has already been answered, they will inform you that no repeated processing will be done.
• For information such as business registration or real estate registration data, special laws and regulations may apply; you will be directed accordingly.
• If the information contains content that should not be disclosed but can be separated, you will receive the disclosable parts with reasons for non-disclosure.
• Requests made in the form of petitions, complaints, or reports will not be handled as information disclosure requests; you will be advised to use appropriate channels.
• If you request public publications like gazettes or books, you will be informed how to obtain them.

What this means for you: Be specific about the information you need. If your request is broad or unclear, it may be rejected or require clarification. For business registration documents, ensure you are requesting the correct type of information.

Fees and Format of Information

Generally, providing government information upon request is free. However, if the number or frequency of requests clearly exceeds reasonable limits, a information processing fee may be charged according to the regulations of the General Office of the State Council (Guobanhan [2020] No. 109). If a fee applies, you will be notified within the processing period, including the basis, standard, amount, and payment method. You must pay within 20 working days of receiving the notice; otherwise, the request is deemed abandoned.

The information will be provided in the format you request, if possible. If the requested format poses a risk to the information carrier or is too costly, alternative formats (e.g., electronic data) or on-site inspection may be arranged.

What this means for you: For most routine requests, no fee applies. If you plan to make multiple requests, consider consolidating them to avoid potential fees.

Tips for Foreign Founders

• Use the Official Website First: Many policies and regulations relevant to business registration are published online. Search the Xinxiang government website before filing a request.
• Prepare Your Application: When filling out the application form, provide your real name or entity name, contact details, and valid identification. Describe the information needed clearly, including document title, number, or other identifying features. Specify the desired format.
• Authorized Representatives: If you use an agent, provide authorization documents. For joint requests by five or more persons, you may select up to five representatives and provide proof of selection.
• Keep Records: Keep copies of your requests and responses for your files. This can be useful for compliance purposes.

By following these procedures, you can obtain the government information you need to register and operate your company in Xinxiang with confidence.

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.