A Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics official vowed to punish those who refuse to cooperate in the first national economic census or who provide fraudulent figures on Tuesday.

"In our work since August, some individual business people and newly established companies have not fulfilled their duties based on the Statistics Law," Shan He, the bureau's press director, said on Tuesay.

During the initial registration period from August to September, some people who run their small businesses assaulted and abused census workers.

Enterprises

Some enterprises - especially new ones - could not be found working at the address where they had registered.

According to the law, government departments, social organizations, enterprises and individual-run businesses have the obligation to provide true information to authorities.

Starting earlier this year, the China Economic Census will cover all work units, enterprises and individual-run businesses.

Shan said they will punish those who refuse to accept the census or provide fake figures.

According to the National Economic Census Regulation issued by the State Council, statistics authorities above county level have the right to fine enterprises or organizations who refuse to fulfil obligations at amounts of up to 50,000 yuan (US$6,000).

Meanwhile, owners of small private businesses can be penalized of at most 10,000 yuan (US$1,200), according to the regulation.

No company or organization has been punished so far in the first national economic census, according to the official.

Shan said a 170-member law enforcement body has been set up by the statistics authority to ensure smooth operations of the first national economic survey since 1949.

But the official also emphasized that most of the companies and organizations being surveyed are cooperative.

"According to our investigation, nearly 88 percent of the Beijing residents are aware of what they should do in the China Economic Census," he said.

Organizations

Organizations at various levels will train their staff this month to prepare for the next-stage of work.

Sources said that census body will conduct an investigation and analysis next month into figures collected so far.

A re-examination of figures is being done now.

Some 50,000 census workers have been guaranteed their personal safety.

Other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have also started the national census and the result is expected to be released to public next year.

Conducted for the first time this year, the national economic census is expected to be conducted twice per 10 years in the future, source said.

(China Daily November 3, 2004)