China’s limited push model of FOI legislation

This paper examines China’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Regulations. It argues that China has adopted a push model of FOI legislation that emphasises proactive disclosure of government information. The push model of FOI legislation grew out of two decades of limited proactive disclosure practices around the country and an improved information environment resulting from the formation of multiple paths for information flow. However, the degree of push or proactive disclosure under China’s current FOI Regulations is undermined by several factors, including a limited access mechanism, broad and vague exemptions and omission of the maximum disclosure principle.