The HKSAR believes in an open and accountable government. To ensure reasonable access to government information, an administrative Code on Access to Information now applies to all government bureaux and departments, which are committed to making information available to the public.

The code provides for a set of rules to meet public expectation of greater government transparency. It sets out the types of government information to which the public has access and lists categories of exemptions to ensure appropriate protection of confidential and sensitive information held by the Government and information involving personal privacy and commercial sensitivity. The public may complain to The Ombudsman about government bureaux and departments that fail to respond to requests for information in accordance with the code.