China’s economic data again under the microscope, local authorities warned over falsifying statistics
- National Bureau of Statistics said some regions in Guizhou province had falsified data, while county governments in Shaanxi province had intervened in data gathering
- The bureau inspected several provinces in summer amid an effort to improve data accuracy, while another round of visits started earlier last month
China’s statistics authority has issued a fresh warning to local authorities over fabricating statistics and intervening in data gathering to overinflate performance as part of a latest bid to improve data accuracy and help refine Beijing’s economic decision-making.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday indicated that some regions in the southwestern province of Guizhou were still falsifying data, while it said that some county governments in the northwestern Shaanxi province had intervened in data gathering.
But the bureau did not provide names and the data involved, or reveal any punishments, according to two statements published on its website.
Analysts have long been concerned over the accuracy and authenticity of China’s data, as well as a lack of transparency, while internally, Beijing needs reliable figures to guide its policy direction.
It’s definitely in the government’s interest to ensure maximum data reliability