Published by ChinaMNC · Manasi

How Foreign Founders Can Request Government Information from Xinjiang's Regional Government Office

A practical guide for foreign founders on filing freedom-of-information requests with the General Office of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region People's Government, including who may apply, required details, submission channels, and office hours.

Accessing Government Information in Xinjiang: A Guide for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders establishing or running a business in China, understanding how to obtain official government information can be an important part of due diligence and compliance planning. The General Office of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region People's Government publishes a formal procedure for requesting government information that is not already made publicly available. The following guidance is drawn from that official procedure and is intended to help foreign founders navigate the process.

Who Can Submit a Request

Beyond information that government bodies proactively disclose, citizens, legal persons, and other organizations, referred to in the official procedure as "applicants," may apply to the relevant agency to obtain government information. This means that companies and other organizations, including those with foreign investment, can use the request mechanism where the information they seek is not part of routine public disclosure.

Where to File and How to Make Contact

The receiving agency for these requests is the General Office of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region People's Government. Applicants can reach the office at the following address and telephone number:

• Address: No. 479 Zhongshan Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Telephone: 0991-2383723
• Postal code: 830002
• Email: [email protected]

Office hours vary by season. In summer, the office is open from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. In winter, the hours are 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:30 to 19:30. The office is closed on public holidays.

The Application Form

Applicants must complete the "Government Information Disclosure Application Form" of the General Office of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region People's Government, referred to as the application form. The form can be obtained in person at the receiving agency or downloaded from the regional government portal at www.xinjiang.gov.cn. Copies of the form are valid for use.

Information the Application Must Contain

The official procedure requires that a request truthfully state the following details:

• Applicant identification: the applicant's name or organizational name, valid identity documentation, and contact information.
• Description of the information sought: the title, document number, or other characteristic description that would help the agency locate the government information. The requested information should be described clearly and in sufficient detail so that the receiving agency can identify the content.
• Format preferences: the form in which the applicant wishes to receive the information, including the method and channel of obtaining it.
• Identity verification according to submission method: applicants submitting in person must present valid identity documents; applicants submitting by post must attach a copy of valid identity documents to the application form; applicants submitting by email must provide a scanned copy or photograph of valid identity documents.

Three Ways to Submit a Request

In-Person Submission

Applications may be delivered in person to No. 479 Zhongshan Road, Urumqi. The office accepts submissions during summer hours of 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, and winter hours of 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:30 to 19:30, excluding public holidays. The contact telephone number is 0991-2383723.

Submission by Post

Applications may be mailed to No. 479 Zhongshan Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, postal code 830002. The envelope should be marked with the words "Government Information Disclosure Application."

Online Submission

Applications may be sent by email to [email protected]. After sending the email, applicants should call 0991-2383723 to confirm receipt.

Practical Points for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders should note several practical aspects of the procedure. First, the request mechanism applies to information that is not proactively disclosed, so it is worth checking the regional government portal first to see whether the material is already published. Second, the description requirement is substantive: a vague request may not give the receiving agency enough to identify the relevant records, so founders should specify document titles, reference numbers, or other identifying features wherever possible. Third, identity documentation requirements differ by submission channel, and applicants using email should be prepared to provide a scan or photo of valid identification. Fourth, because office hours shift between summer and winter schedules, founders planning an in-person visit should confirm timing in advance and avoid public holidays. Finally, applicants submitting by email are advised to follow up by telephone to confirm that the message has been received.

These steps reflect the published procedure of the General Office of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region People's Government and are presented here to help foreign founders understand the administrative process for requesting government information. The application form itself is available as an attachment through the regional government portal and at the receiving agency.

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