Draft revision to statistics law to better ensure data authenticity

Those who fabricate data, as well as their superiors, should be held accountable if fudged figures are found in their departments or regions, China's top statistics regulator said.

The National Bureau of Statistics has started soliciting public opinions on a new draft revision to the statistics law, strengthening efforts to ensure the authenticity of data collection by adding accountability and naming data fabrication as a dereliction of duty, China Daily reported on Oct 9.

The draft orders statistics organs at the county level and above to set up an accountability mechanism to prevent and punish those faking data, as well as those in charge of the fabricators' work, according to the newspaper.

The bureau will organize inspections across regions and departments to ensure the implementation of the laws and regulations, as well as decisions and plans governing statistical work, according to the draft.

The draft also proposes promoting the application of the internet, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence in statistical work to make the work more scientific and effective.

The purpose of the revision is "to build a modern statistics system in the new era, to improve the authenticity, accuracy, integrity and promptness of the statistical materials, to give full play to the roles of statistics in social and economic growth and to promote high-quality development," the bureau said in a statement.

The public can submit their opinions before Nov 9, it said.