政府信息公开的例外原则 (zhèngfǔ xìnxī gōngkāi de lìwài yuánzé): Exception principle of government information disclosure

Premier Li Keqiang recently signed a revised regulation on government information disclosure, which will take effect on May 15.

The newly revised Government Information Disclosure Regulation stipulates the exceptions for the disclosure of government information, defining the specific situations when government information will not be disclosed.

Information disclosure is an essential requirement for building a law-abiding government. But in reality, many local governments use various excuses so as not to disclose information.

The new regulation sticks to the principle that government information disclosure should be the common practice. According to the regulation, information that should not be disclosed to the public is strictly limited to State secrets and information that may undermine national security, personal privacy, public security and social stability, or any third party's legal rights and interests.

In addition, citizens can apply for administrative review and administrative litigation on the misuse of disclosure exception principle, which will effectively safeguard the public's right to know.