Published by ChinaMNC · Lizhou

China Government Information Disclosure Platform: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

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

Understanding China's Government Information Disclosure Platform

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, access to official government information is essential. The Chinese government operates a central portal—the Government Information Disclosure Platform (政府信息公开平台) on gov.cn—that publishes regulations, plans, and annual reports. This article explains what the platform contains and how you can use it to support your business activities.

What the Platform Offers

The platform serves as a repository for government information disclosures. Key sections include:

• Regulations and notices: The platform lists the Regulations on Open Government Information of the People's Republic of China (effective April 15, 2019) and various notices from the General Office of the State Council. These cover topics such as the disclosure of information by public enterprises and institutions, measures for handling information processing fees, and guidance on administrative reconsideration cases related to government information disclosure.
• Development plans: The platform publishes national economic and social development plans, including the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) and previous five-year plans. It also includes special plans on intellectual property protection and utilization, national fitness, consumer expansion, national health, and traditional Chinese medicine development, as well as local development plans for provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
• Annual work reports: The platform provides annual reports on government information disclosure for 2020 through 2025. These reports are organized by province (e.g., 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, Xinjiang), by vertically managed systems (e.g., People's Bank system, customs system, tax system, financial regulatory system, securities regulatory system, meteorological system, grain and strategic reserves system, tobacco system, railway system, civil aviation system, postal system, mining safety system, fire rescue system, foreign exchange system), and by State Council departments (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Commerce, 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 Data Administration, National Intellectual Property Administration, etc.).

How Foreign Founders Can Use This Information

While the platform is a general government information portal, foreign founders can leverage it in several ways:

• Stay informed on regulatory changes: Notices and regulations published on the platform can signal changes in how government information is disclosed, which may affect your compliance obligations. For example, the notice on handling information processing fees (2020) and the notice on the format of annual reports (2021) provide procedural details that could impact your interactions with government agencies.
• Understand policy direction: Five-year plans and special plans outline China's medium- to long-term policy priorities. For instance, the 15th Five-Year Plan and special plans on intellectual property, consumer expansion, and health may indicate areas of government focus that could create opportunities or regulatory considerations for your business.
• Access local information: The platform links to local development plans and annual reports for each province and municipality. If you are registering your company in a specific region, reviewing local plans can help you understand regional development goals and administrative practices.
• Find departmental reports: Annual reports from State Council departments, such as the Ministry of Commerce, State Taxation Administration, and State Administration for Market Regulation, can provide insight into each department's information disclosure practices and priorities. This can be useful when preparing applications or understanding regulatory expectations.

Practical Tips for Using the Platform

• Search effectively: The platform's search function may return no results if your query is too specific. Try simplifying your search terms or using broader keywords. The site suggests checking for input errors and using similar or common words.
• Note document dates: Each document is listed with its issuance date (成文日期) and publication date (发布日期). Pay attention to these dates to ensure you are referencing the most current version.
• Check for updates: The platform is updated regularly. For example, annual reports for 2025 are already available, and plans for the 15th Five-Year Plan period are being published. Regularly checking the platform can help you stay current.
• Use official channels: The platform includes explanations on various topics, such as the distinction between government information disclosure and business inquiries, and the proper channels for submitting information disclosure requests. These explanations can guide you on how to request specific information from government agencies.

Limitations and Considerations

The platform is a central index and does not contain all government information. Some documents may be available only on the websites of specific departments or local governments. Additionally, the platform is primarily in Chinese, so foreign founders may need translation assistance. The information provided is general and should not be relied upon as legal or tax advice.

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

For personalized assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.