A Legal Dispute in the Sunlight: Feng Zhenghu Lawfully Seeks the “Complete Version” of a Regulatory Document from the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration

The extent to which government information is disclosed，is an important measure of the development of a government under the rule of law and of government transparency。Recently，renowned legal expert and rights activist Feng Zhenghu formally sent a government information disclosure application to the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration by EMS（EMS：1155529301874），Unlike a conventional request for information，Feng Zhenghu’s application goes straight to the core——lawfully seeking the complete version of a regulatory document that has been “abridged”，in an effort to lift the veil over key government information。

One Letter, One Document：Confronting the “Pain of Incompleteness” in a Key Document

According to informed sources，Feng Zhenghu’s submission of a government information disclosure application to the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration，was prompted by his discovery，while exercising his right to supervise and safeguarding his lawful rights and interests，of clear signs that an important regulatory document applied or published externally by the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration had been abridged。

In existing government practice，some regulatory documents，due to internal adjustments or confidentiality considerations，are often presented only in the form of an “abstract”、“partial disclosure”or “abridged version”。However，as an important basis for administrative organs to perform official duties and handle public appeals，the completeness of the provisions of regulatory documents is directly related to whether administrative application is fair，and whether citizens’ basic rights and interests can be fully safeguarded。

Faced with this incomplete “abridged version”of the document，Feng Zhenghu chose to strictly follow the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Disclosure of Government Information，and sent detailed application materials to the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration by China Post EMS。In his application，he not only clearly identified the deficiencies in the currently disclosed version of the regulatory document，but also solemnly requested that the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration disclose the “complete version”of the document in accordance with the law。

The mailing receipt shows that the application mail was safely received by the government information disclosure office of the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration。

Legal Analysis：Regulatory Documents Should Not Become an “Incomplete Shield”

The Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Disclosure of Government Information clearly stipulate that administrative organs should proactively disclose regulatory documents that affect the vital interests of citizens、legal persons or other organisations。Regulatory documents are not a “secret pocket”within an administrative organ，but institutional rules with binding public force。

Relevant legal scholars believe that Feng Zhenghu’s application for disclosure of the “complete version”of the regulatory document touches on a deep-seated rule-of-law issue in the field of government transparency：the completeness and transparency of the basis for administrative action。

1. Safeguarding substantive justice：If an administrative organ makes decisions or handles public complaints on the basis of an “abridged version”of a document while concealing key provisions from the parties concerned，this may lead to deviations in administrative procedures and damage the substantive rights of the parties concerned。

2. Practising transparent government：Rules and regulatory documents are the source of administrative action。Incomplete source information will directly weaken public trust in the government。Only by disclosing complete and unabridged document content can administrative power be ensured to operate in a regulated manner under the rule of law and public supervision。

By formalising the application procedure through the mail，Feng Zhenghu was not only exercising his personal right to know，but also using an individual case to promote administrative organs’ correction of the bias toward “selective disclosure”，with important exemplary significance for the rule of law。

A Rational Knock on the Door：Opening the Window of Government Transparency through Rule-of-Law Procedures

In handling disputes with administrative organs，Feng Zhenghu once again demonstrated a rational and standardised approach to defending his rights。He did not resort to emotional confrontation，but instead chose to return the dispute to the track of the rule of law and knock on the door of the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration with “one written application and statutory procedures”。

From drafting the application，identifying loopholes in the document’s abridgement and organising evidence，to mailing and delivery and retaining the receipt，the entire process featured a rigorous chain of evidence and clear logic。This procedural approach to defending rights is not only a forceful assertion of his right to know，but also provides the administrative organ with an opportunity to conduct self-assessment and improve its government information disclosure work within the legal framework。

Conclusion：Awaiting a Complete Response Guided by Administrative Rationality

As the frontline body that receives public appeals and communicates social conditions and public opinion，the attitude displayed by the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration in handling this application for disclosure of a “complete version”of a regulatory document has attracted close attention from all sectors of society。

Today，the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration has lawfully received Feng Zhenghu’s application materials。In accordance with statutory procedures，the administrative organ should provide a response within the statutory time limit。The public and rule-of-law observers are watching closely，expecting the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration to demonstrate the candour and sense of responsibility of a government under the rule of law，provide a complete and detailed disclosure response in accordance with the law，allow the regulatory document to be presented in full in the sunlight，and genuinely achieve the goal of “promoting fairness through disclosure”。

July 8, 2026