The text of China's national ordinance on release of government information follows: -------------------------------------People’s Republic of China Ordinance on Openness of Government Information (FULL TEXT) Xinhua News Agency, April 24, 2007 State Council Decree 492 The People’s Republic of China Ordinance on Openness of Government Information was passed at the 165th executive meeting of the State Council on January 17, 2007. It is hereby publicized, and is to go into effect from May 1, 2008. 温家宝 ) Premier Wen Jiabao ( April 5, 2007 People’s Republic of China Ordinance on Openness of Government Information Chapter I: General Provisions Article 1: This ordinance is instituted in order to ensure that citizens, legal persons and other organizations may obtain government information in accordance with the law, to raise the transparency of government work, promote legal governance, and thoroughly bring into play the service function of government information in the productivity and lives of the masses and in economic and social events. Article 2: The government information referenced in this ordinance is that which is either created or obtained in the exercise of [official] functions, information that is recorded and preserved in whatever form. Article 3: People’s Governments at all levels must strengthen their leadership and organization on government information openness. 主管部门 ) of national work The State Council Office is the principal office in charge ( concerning openness of government information, responsible for promoting, leading, coordinating and supervising nationwide work on openness of government information. The People’s Government office of the county level or above, or other principal offices designated by People’s Governments at the county level or above, are responsible for promoting, leading, coordinating and supervising nationwide work on openness of government information for that administrative region. Article 4: People’s Governments and People’s Government offices of the county level or above ) systems for carrying out the work of openness of should set up comprehensive ( government information for their State organs, and the designated organ (hereafter referred to at the openness of government information organ) is responsible for the daily work of openness of government information for this administrative area. 建立健 The specific responsibilities of the openness of government information organ are as follows: 1. To undertake all specific matters concerning openness of government information for State organs; 2. To protect and update all publicly available [“open”] government information for State organs; 3. To organize and work out openness of government information guides, openness of government information directories and openness of government information annual reports