China's vice premier, Li Keqiang, said Friday that the population count, the first in 10 years, should be "authentic, accurate and complete", to provide a basis for economic and social development.

In a visit to local communities in Beijing, Li said all-out efforts should be enlisted to conduct the census with quality and efficiency.

Li noted that some progress has been made, but new problems also emerged as some migrant residents have not been found in their homes.

He also said the census has entered a critical phase, and hoped the 6 million census takers could overcome difficulties and carefully carry out the counting.

"Only by getting a clear picture of the population could we better plan and provide people with equal public services in education, health-care, housing and pension," Li said.

On Monday China began the once-in-a-decade population count, with 6 million census takers going door-to-door during the next 10 days to document demographic changes in the world's most populous country.

Statistics from this census will be calculated in December and the main results will be released by the end of April 2011.

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