Five Chinese people from several government departments are under investigation over the alleged leaking of national macroeconomic data, according to a Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate official.

Zhang Huawei, head of the Anti-malfeasance Bureau of the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate, did not reveal the titles or names of the people involved at a press briefing held on Monday.

Another Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate official declined to disclose any details on Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

On June 14, Sheng Laiyun, a spokesman from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that a staff member responsible for secretarial work at the NBS's administrative office is being investigated for allegedly leaking national macroeconomic data

Sheng said the NBS holds a "clear attitude" toward leaks and supports the investigation.

Government economic data, such as consumer price index (CPI) and gross domestic product (GDP), is highly market-sensitive and is considered to fall under the umbrella of state secrecy before it is officially published.

The macroeconomic data in question was apparently leaked to domestic and foreign companies for personal gain.

Sheng said the NBS has improved its ability to protect the confidentiality of economic figures and is considering shortening the gap between the compilation and release of economic data.

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