Chief of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Qiu Xiaohua has called for efforts to further improve data authenticity.

Qiu, who was recently appointed director of the NBS to replace predecessor Li Deshui by the State Council, or the central government, made the remarks during a meeting with the media in Beijing on Wednesday.

"The most crucial task is to safeguard and enhance the credit standing of China's statistics figures," he said.

"Sunshine statistics" should be a permanent goal sought by the National Bureau of Statistics," said Qiu.

Although China has made remarkable progress in improving the authenticity of data over the past years, he noted, some problems still exist, which have a negative effect on the whole image of the sector.

More substantial efforts should be made to improve the quality of statistical data at grassroots levels and management over personnel and statistical activities should be enhanced, he noted.

He disclosed that the NBS plans to choose 100 organs at the county level to undertake tests in order to form a set of strict rules and regulations in this regard.

Incorrect or false statistics have aroused the attention of China's top leadership. The State Council held a meeting in October last year, urging statistics bureaus to provide authentic data that can be referred to by policy makers.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2006)