Extensive international cooperation has enabled China's once
closed statistics to become compatible with overseas countries'.
The National Bureau of
Statistics says the country will continue to strengthen
international links to provide quality and up-to-date statistics
for government and the public.
Before the 1980s, China's statistical system was "closed."
Statistics were kept confidential and not allowed to be published
without authorization by the state.
However, since China initiated economic reform in 1979, the
country has been engaged in extensive technical cooperation with
international organizations such as Statistics Canada, the Federal
Statistical Office of Germany and the International Monetary Fund.
China also reformed its statistical system a decade ago, and has
its statistical credibility and accessibility has improved by
adopting international practice.
Deputy Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics Qiu
Xiaohua says this cooperation and exchange has been an important
driving force in the improvement of China's statistical
management.
"China's statistics have changed from cutting itself off from
the outside world to being opened up as a result of international
cooperation and exchanges. Those who use these statistics are no
longer limited to governmental decision makers, but also include
research institutes, mass media, enterprises, the general public
and the international community. We now know ourselves better and
the world knows China better."
Among the many partners, Germany enjoys one of the longest
cooperation with China. President of the German Federal Statistical
Office Johann Hahlen says the past ten odd years have seen a range
of cooperative projects including exchange visits of top
statistical officials, and personnel training.
"The statistical departments of Germany and China have
implemented a total of 55 joint measures. 30 Chinese statistical
delegations have visited Germany. And the Federal Statistical
Office of Germany has translated professional statistics
publications and basic statistical methodology into Chinese, which
have played an important role in China's statistics
management."
Now more than 10 years after introducing the UN promoted "System
of National Accounts," China has brought its statistical methods in
line with global standards. And Qiu Xiaohua says that China will
carry on the international cooperation in social statistics, human
resources and statistical technology.
(CRI.com May 22, 2004)