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NBS official refutes charges of unreliable GDP figure

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-23 11:50

NBS is not just concerned with ensuring that economic statistics are produced efficiently, it has also set up a comprehensive appraisal and verification system to guarantee their accuracy. Measures to assess the accuracy of key statistical indicators were implemented in 1999 at the NBS and provincial statistics bureaus. In 2009, similar measures were introduced to improve the accuracy of statistics gathered from specific sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, industry and construction. A joint supervision system was set up to inspect the compilation process of statistics related to regional GDP, industrial added value, construction added-value and investment in fixed assets. At the end of each quarter, the NBS and regional statistics bureaus assess and revise the aforementioned data and sometimes sample checks take place. In addition, the NBS has enhanced law enforcement and inspection to prevent the falsification of official data.

China Daily: China's statistical institutions and methods are indeed being constantly improved and perfected, but the statistical structure is also very important. Can it guarantee such a quick provision of statistics?

NBS: On the whole, China's statistical system is a centralized and unified one. It is precisely such a system that has provided systematic guarantees for the prompt delivery of statistics.

The Statistics Law of the People's Republic of China and the Temporary Provisions Governing Statistical Survey Projects Among Ministries stipulate that China's statistical system is a centralized and unified one. The statistical governance system has a unified leadership, with responsibility spread over various levels. Since the NBS was set up, it has undergone 50 years of evolution, and the current national statistical survey system consists of a comprehensive governmental statistical system and the statistical system of government ministries.

China's comprehensive governmental statistical system consists of the NBS, survey organizations sent out by the NBS, and statistical organizations under governments at county level and above. It implements a management system in which there is unified leadership, with responsibility spread over various levels. In 2005, the NBS reorganized the three survey systems — rural, urban and enterprise — that span the nation and employ nearly 20,000 people, into one body, implementing a management system in which leadership is centralized, unified and hierarchical. This organization is a direct subsidiary of the NBS, and can carry out independent statistical surveys according to the law. It reports its survey findings directly to the NBS. Under this new framework, level-by-level statistical reporting and direct statistical reporting were combined, hence improving the promptness of statistical reporting.

The sharing of statistics between the two systems of statistical collection — comprehensive statistical collection and statistical collection by the ministries — was achieved, and this made for a better coordinated statistical model. For example, when the NBS conducts the national economic survey, it can obtain some of the necessary data from the statistical data from the various departments and ministries as well as administrative records. Important data such as government tax revenues, bank loans, and imports and exports can be obtained from statistical data from the ministries. Administrative records are also available just a few days after the end of each month. Statistical data from the ministries is also helpful when the NBS carries out statistical surveys regarding society, science and technology, the environment, transport, etc. The NBS has in place the necessary computer and online networks to facilitate data collection and exchange with the various ministries. This ensures the prompt sharing and mutual supplementation of data and information held by both sides.

The business sector is key to our work in the collection of statistics. A healthy system of collecting statistics from businesses ensures the success of statistical collection work in general. Through continued efforts to develop and perfect the system, most large and medium-size firms have established professional statistical posts and employ professional statisticians. Many medium and small-size firms also employ part-time statisticians. We have established an accreditation system for statisticians, and are guiding and helping businesses improve all aspects of their statistical systems, as well as their primary statistical records. This will provide a foundation for the prompt delivery of data.

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