Detailed Rules for Implementation of Statistics Law of People’s Republic of China
This document was originally ratified by the State Council on January 19, 1987 and promulgated by the National Bureau of Statistics
on February 15, 1987. Its revised text was ratified by the State Council on June 2, 2000 and promulgated by the National Bureau of
Statistics on June 15, 2000.
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1 These detailed rules are formulated in accordance with the stipulations of the Law of Statistics of the People s Republic of China
(hereafter referred to as Statistics Law)
Article 2 The term statistics as used in the Statistics Law refers to all activities of using various statistical methods for statistical
investigations and statistical analyses on the development of national economy and social development and for providing statistical
data and consultant views and carrying out statistical supervisions.
The classification of all projects in statistics of national economy and social development shall be stipulated and adjusted by the
National Bureau of Statistics
Article 3 The state shall, in a planned way, equip the statistical agencies of the people s governments at all levels with modern information
technology and set up and improve the automatic statistical information system of the state. The various departments under the State
Council shall equip, in a planned way, the statistical agencies under the departments and their affiliated organizations with modern
information technology according to the needs of their work.
The people s governments at various levels at and above the county level shall list the construction of the state statistics information
projects into their development plans. The construction of the state statistics information projects shall be under the unified leadership
of the National Bureau of Statistics and the statistics agencies under the local people s governments at or above county level shall
be responsible for the projects at their respective levels.
Article 4 The statistical agencies and the statistical personnel shall institute the responsibility system and the system of assessment and
awards and penalties for their work to enhance constantly the quality of their work and working efficiency.
The statistical agencies and the statistical personnel shall exercise independently the following functions and power according to
law:
the power of statistical investigations — investigating and collecting the related information, convening related investigation meetings,
checking the original records and certificates related to the statistical data. The objects under statistical investigation must
provide the true statistical data and information according to the stipulations of Statistical Law and must not make falsified, concealed
reports, refuse or delay to report or forge or tamper with records.
the power to make statistical reports — sorting out and analyzing the information and data obtained from the statistical investigations
and providing the statistical reports to the leading organs and related departments at higher levels. No units or individuals shall
obstruct or withhold the statistical reports nor tamper with statistical data.
the power of statistical supervision C in accordance with the statistical investigations and analyses, to make statistical supervision
over the national economic conditions and social development, to examine the implementation of the state policies and plans, to assess
economic results, social effect and achievements in the work, to check and expose the existing problems and examine the practices
of making falsified, deceptive, concealed and tampered statistical reports and to make proposals for improving the work. The related
departments and units must promptly deal with and reply to the problems reported or exposed by the statistical agencies and personnel.
Article 5 The local governments at and above county level, all departments, enterprises and institutions shall, according to the state statistical
tasks and the needs of their respective localities, strengthen their leadership and supervision over the statistical work in the
following spheres:
leading and supporting statistical agencies and personnel and other related personnel in implementing statistical laws, regulations
and systems, completing accurately and promptly the statistical tasks and in promoting the modernization of statistical work.
drawing and organizing statistical personnel into meetings to discuss relevant policies and plans, study questions concerning economic
and social development so as to bring statistics into playing the role of services and supervision.
organizing the implementation of important general survey over national conditions and strength according to the state unified arrangement.
examining and approving plans of statistical investigations according to relevant stipulations and providing the necessary personnel
and funds needed for the approved statistical investigations.
Article 6 The National Bureau of Statistics and the statistical agencies under the local governments at and above county level are the state
organization for implementing the statistical laws and regulations. They are responsible for supervising and checking the implementation
of the statistical laws, regulations and systems, upholding the functions and power of statistical agencies and personnel and fighting
against the violations of statistical laws, regulations and systems.
Chapter 2 Statistical Investigation Plans and Statistical Systems
Article 7 The statistical agencies under the people s governments at and above county level and related departments shall establish their
respective statistical systems and draw up their respective plans for statistical investigations according to the following three
different categories. Their plans shall be carried out upon the approval by competent examining authorities according to stipulations:
(1) National Statistical Investigations They are the statistical investigations about the basic conditions in the whole country including
the projects for statistical investigation solely worked out by the National Bureau of Statistics or jointly worked out by the National
Bureau of Statistics and the relevant departments under the State Council. The new and important planned projects for national statistical
investigations shall be reported by the National Bureau of Statistics to the State Council for its examination and approval. The
regular and general projects for statistical investigation shall be examined and approved by the National Bureau of Statistics.
All localities, departments and units must strictly carry out the programs of national statistical investigations according to the
state plans.
(2) Departmental Statistical Investigations They are specialized statistical investigations conducted by various departments. The
plans and programs of departmental statistical investigations shall be worked out by the statistical agencies under the departments
and by organizing the relevant functional organs under the department. If the objects under investigation are within the jurisdiction
of the department itself, the plans and programs of the statistical investigations shall be examined and approved by the leader of
the department and reported to the National Bureau of Statistics or the statistical agencies under the local people s governments
at the same level for record. If the objects under investigation are beyond the jurisdiction of the department, the plans and programs
shall be reported to the National Bureau of Statistics or the statistical agencies of the local people s governments at the same
level for examination and approval. The division of jurisdiction for statistical investigation among various departments shall be
proposed jointly by the National Bureau of Statistics and relevant departments under the State Council and reported to the State
Council for approval and implementation.
(3) Local Statistical Investigations They are local statistical investigations needed by local people s governments. The procedure
for reporting and approval of local statistical investigation plans and programs shall be stipulated by the statistical agencies
under the people s governments of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and reported to the National Bureau of Statistics
for record.
Article 8 Departmental and local statistical investigations must not overlap or contradict national statistical investigations.
The division of work among the national, departmental and local statistical investigations shall be decided by the National Bureau
of Statistics in consultation with the departments under the State Council and the statistical agencies under the people s governments
of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities
Article 9 The statistical data needed by the departments of the people s governments at and above county level for comprehensive coordination
shall be collected from the statistical agencies and relevant departments of the people s governments at the same level. When it
is necessary to conduct direct statistical investigations, the plans and programs for such statistical investigations shall be worked
out and implemented after approval according to Statistics Law and the relevant stipulations in this document of detailed rules.
The basic statistical data or comprehensive data obtained by statistical investigations organized and carried out by the relevant
departments of the people s governments at and above county level shall be promptly reported to the statistical agencies under the
people s governments at the same level.
The National Bureau of Statistics and the statistical agencies under the local people s governments at and above county level shall
provide the relevant comprehensive statistical data regularly and free of charge to the departments of the people s governments
at the same level.
Article 10 Statistical investigations plan shall be worked out on the basis of projects of statistical investigations. A project of statistical
investigation refers to a statistical investigation organized in a specified time period for a specified objective of statistical
investigation. The plan for each statistical investigation project shall specify the following : name of the project, organs to conduct
the investigation, objective, scope, objects, methods, duration and main content of the investigation.
Programs of statistical investigation shall be worked out simultaneously with the statistical investigation plans. The program shall
include the following content:
investigation forms to be filled out by the objects under investigation and written explanations.
comprehensive statistical forms to be filled out for reporting to the higher level and written explanations.
the personnel and funds needed for the statistical investigation and sources thereof.
Article 11 The statistical agencies under the people s governments at and above county level shall strictly examine the statistical investigation
plans and programs sent in for examination as to the necessity, feasibility and scientific reliability of the investigation. Those
which are not in conformity with this document of detailed rules shall be returned for revision or rejected. In drafting and examining
the investigation programs, the following principles should be adhered to:
If the data can be obtained from the statistical investigations which have been approved or conducted, no repetition of such investigation
shall be made.
Comprehensive statistical investigation forms shall not be printed and issued if the objectives of the investigation can be achieved
through sample, key or typical case investigation or administrative records. Regular statistical investigation shall not be conducted
if a one-time investigation can meet the needs. If yearly investigation statistics can meet the needs, no quarterly one shall be
conducted. No quarterly investigation shall be conducted if monthly one can meet the needs. The statistical investigation to be done
regularly in an interval less than one month shall be strictly limited.
Before a new statistical investigation program is worked out, experimental investigation in some places shall be conducted or the
opinion of the local, departmental and grassroots units must be solicited to study its feasibility and to ensure the practicability
and the reliability of the investigation.
The personnel and funds needed for the investigation statistics must be ensured.
Article 12 The state shall establish the system of periodic general survey. The periodic general survey shall be under the unified leadership
of the State Council and the local people s governments at various level and carried out by organizing the joint efforts of statistical
agencies and relevant departments. The funds needed shall be borne jointly by the central and local financial departments.
In conducting regular sample investigations, it is necessary, first of all, to get a clear picture of the basic statistical units
and their distribution through the general survey in basic statistical units and the administrative records. In this way, a scientific
sample framework shall be set up. The principle of random sampling shall be observed so that the sample unit which can fully represent
the whole body is selected to reduce the error in the sampling.
Article 13 For a statistical investigation form that has been approved according to the prescribed procedures, the designation of the organ
which has devised the form, serial number of the form, the designation of the organ to which the form has been sent for approval
or for record, the serial number of approval or record and time duration of its coming into effect shall all be indicated in the
upper right-hand corner of the investigation form.
The objects under investigation have the right to refuse to fill out those forms which have not the above-mentioned indicators or
the forms whose effective duration have expired. The statistical agencies are authorized to abrogate such forms.
Article 14 Without consent of the organ which has drawn up the statistical investigation program, no units or individuals are allowed to alter
the index implications, scope of investigation, methods of computation, classification of contents, format of the forms and statistical
codes, etc, as prescribed in the statistical investigation program.
Chapter 3 Management and Public Proclamation of Statistical Data
Article 15 All localities, departments and units shall strengthen their systems of examining and verifying statistical data to ensure the accuracy
and promptness of statistical data.
The statistical data provided by various departments, enterprises and institutions shall be examined, verified, signed or stamped
with seals by their leaders or the persons responsible for statistics before they are sent to the higher authorities. The statistical
data concerning financial statistics shall be provided by financial and accounting organs or accounting personnel, and shall be examined,
verified, signed or stamped with seals by persons responsible for financial and accounting affairs. The statistical data provided
by statistical agencies under the people s governments at and above county level or by statisticians of townships or towns shall
be examined, verified, signed or stamped with seals by the statistical agencies of the people s governments at the same level or
statisticians of the townships or towns to be reported to the higher authorities.
Article 16 When statistical data are needed in formulating policies and plans or checking the implementation of policies and plans, assessing
economic and social results and performances, and meting out awards and penalties, the leading organs at various levels shall, in
accordance with the provisions in Article 13 of the Statistics Law, take as solely credible data bearing the signature or seals of
statistical agencies or persons responsible for statistics.
Article 17 The statistical agencies under the people s governments at and above county level must do a good job in providing statistical information
consultant services and making full use of the social and economic information which can be made known to public to serve the social
public interest.
The provision of statistical information consultant service shall be payable if the service is beyond the scope as stipulated by Statistics
Law and the statistical system. The concrete measures in this regard shall be formulated by the National Bureau of Statistics and
the department in charge of pricing under the State Council.
Article 18 All localities, departments and units must carry out the state stipulations concerning security control over confidential statistical
data and strengthen the security administration over confidential statistical data.
Article 19 All localities, departments and units must establish systems of statistical data files and these files shall be properly kept, transferred
for use and turned over according to the state provisions concerning management of archives.
Article 20 The state shall establish and improve the systems of public proclamation of the statistical data regularly in a definite period.
The statistical data obtained by the National Bureau of Statistics through statistical investigations shall be made public by the
National Bureau of Statistics. The statistical data obtained by the relevant departments under the State Council through statistical
investigations shall be made public by the departments. If the departmental data overlap or intersect the data of the National Bureau
of Statistics, the departments shall made public the departmental data only after consultations with the National Bureau of Statistics.
The relevant department under the State Council shall report to the National Bureau of Statistics for record within 10 days after
it makes public its statistical data.
When the statistical agencies under the people s governments at and above county level made public the local statistical data obtained
by statistical investigations, the procedures shall be in accordance with the above-mentioned stipulations.
Article 21 The state shall establish the systems to monitor and assess the quality of the statistical data and strengthen its monitoring and
assessment of the quality of important statistical data of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities including their value
of gross domestic product.
Chapter 4 Statistical agencies and Statistical Personnel
Article 22 The National Bureau of Statistics shall exercise the following functions and responsibilities:
formulating regulations concerning statistical work and programs to modernize statistical work and state statistical investigation
plans, leading and coordinating national statistical work and checking and supervising the implementation of statistical laws, regulations
and systems according to the relevant laws, administrative regulations, state policies and plans.
improving the national economic accounting system and the system of statistical indexes, formulating the system of nationally unified
forms for basic data reporting, formulating, solely or jointly with relevant departments, the national statistical standards and
examining and approving departmental statistical standards.
under leadership of the State Council, organizing jointly with relevant departments major general survey of the national conditions
and national strength, organizing and coordinating sample investigations of national social and economic conditions in urban and
rural areas
in accordance with the needs of the state in deciding policies, formulating plans and carrying out administration, to collect, sort
out and provide basic statistical data of the nation and conduct statistical analysis, forecast and supervision of the conditions
of national economy and social development.
examining the statistical investigation plans and the investigation programs of the various departments under the State Council and
exercising control over the investigation forms issued by the various departments under the State Council.
Checking, examining and approving, controlling, announcing and publishing national basic statistical data and regularly issuing statistical
bulletins concerning the conditions of national economy and social development.
leading and managing the investigation teams responsible for sample investigations of the national social and economic conditions
in the urban and rural areas.
organizing and guiding national studies of statistical science, statistical education, training of statistical personnel and publication
of statistical books and periodicals.
conducting international exchanges in statistical work and statistical science.
Article 23 The functions and responsibilities of the statistical agencies under the local people s governments at and above county level shall
be:
accomplishing tasks of national statistical investigations, implementing state statistical standards and implementing the systems
of nationally unified forms for basic statistical reporting.
drafting plans to modernize local statistical work in their respective administrative areas, working out statistical investigation
plans and programs, leading and coordinating the statistical work in their respective administrative areas including the work arranged
by the central and local authorities, checking and supervising the implementation of statistical laws, regulations and systems.
collecting, sorting out and providing basic statistical data and conducting statistical analysis, forecast and supervision of the
conditions of economic and social development in their respective administrative areas in accordance with local needs for planning
and management.
examining the statistical investigation plans and programs of the various departments in their respective administrative areas and
exercising control over the investigation forms devised and issued by the various departments in their respective administrative
areas.
checking , examining and approving, managing, announcing and publishing the basic statistical data of their respective administrative
areas according to relevant state stipulations. The statistical agencies under the people s governments of the provinces, autonomous
regions and municipalities shall regularly publish statistical bulletins on the conditions of the economic and social development
in their respective administrative areas. The statistical agencies under the people s governments of autonomous prefectures, counties
and autonomous counties, cities and districts under jurisdiction of cities shall publish local statistical bulletins according to
the decisions of the local people s governments at the same level.
exercising unified administration over the teams responsible for sample investigation of the social and economic conditions in the
urban and rural areas in their respective administrative areas.
organizing and guiding the various departments and units in their administrative areas to strengthen their basic statistical work,
statistical education, training of statistical personnel and studies of statistical science, assessing the performance of the personnel
of statistical agencies of the people s governments in their respective administrative areas.
The statistical agencies under the local people s governments at and above county level shall be under the dual leadership of the
people s governments at the same level and the statistical agencies of the people s governments at higher level. In the statistical
work, they shall be mainly subject to the leadership of the statistical agencies of the people s governments at higher level.
Article 24 The statisticians in townships and towns shall be responsible for local comprehensive statistics. Their functions and responsibilities
are:
accomplishing tasks of the state and local statistical investigations, implementing the system of national statistical standards and
the system of nationally unified statistical standards of basic forms for statistical reporting and checking and supervising the
implementation of statistical laws, regulations and systems.
collecting, sorting out, analyzing, providing and managing the basic statistical data of the townships and towns in accordance with
the state relevant stipulations.
organizing and guiding relevant departments and individuals of townships and towns in strengthening rural basic statistical work,
improving systems of statistical accounting and statistical files in the townships and towns and organizing the statistical work
in places within their jurisdiction.
The people s governments in the townships and towns shall post full-time or part-time statisticians in accordance with the relevant
stipulations of the Statistics Law and the needs of the local statistical work and shall set up and improve network of statistical
information among townships and towns. In statistical work, statisticians shall be under the leadership of the statistical agencies
under the people s government at the county level.
The statistical work in villages shall be performed by persons specially appointed by the villagers committee. In statistical work,
these persons shall be under the leadership of township and town statisticians.
Article 25 The statistical agencies of the various departments under the people s governments at and above county level or the persons responsible
for comprehensive statistics of their respective departments shall perform the following functions and responsibilities :
organizing, guiding and coordinating, in a comprehensive way, the statistical work of various functional organs in the departments
(such as organs of production, supply and marketing, capital construction, labor and personnel, finance and accounting) to jointly
accomplish the tasks of the state, departmental and local statistical investigations and to implement, check and supervise the implementation
of statistical laws, regulations and systems.
drafting plans to modernize the statistical work of the departments, working out the statistical investigation plans and programs
of the departments, organizing and guiding the statistical work in the departments and the enterprises and institutions under the
departmental system jurisdiction and strengthening the personnel of statistical contingents and the foundation of statistical work.
in accordance with the relevant state stipulations, reporting and providing the basic statistical data of the departments to leading
organs and the statistical agencies under the people s governments at the same levels and conducting, in conjunction with planning
and other functional organs, to do statistical analysis, forecast and supervision of the implementation of the policies and plans
and the results of management and administration in these departments.
administering the statistical investigation forms devised and issued by their departments and administering the basic statistical
data of the departments.
organizing and guiding, in conjunction with the personnel and educational sections of their departments, the statistical education
and the training of statistical personnel, assessing the performances of statistical personnel and meting out awards and penalties
and strengthening the studies of statistical science in their departments.
The statistical agencies in the relevant departments under the people s governments at county and above level shall be established
in accordance with actual needs and the principle of efficient and simple administration in line with the provisions of the Statistical
Law.
Article 26 The statistical agencies in enterprises or institutions and persons in charge of comprehensive statistics in the units shall perform
the following functions and responsibilities :
organizing, guiding and coordinating in a comprehensive way the statistical work of the various functional organs and subordinate
organs in the units, accomplishing jointly with them the tasks of the state, departmental and local statistical investigations, formulating
and implementing the statistical plans and systems of the units, implementing checking and supervising the implementation of statistical
laws, regulations and systems.
in accordance with relevant state stipulations, reporting and providing statistical data to the competent departments, the statistical
agencies under the local people s governments and statisticians in townships and towns and conducting statistical analysis and supervision
of the implementation of the plans and the results of management and administration in the units.
administering the statistical investigation forms and basic statistical data of the units.
in conjunction with relevant functional organs, strengthening systems of measurement and testing systems, improving systems of original
records, statistical files of bookkeeping and accounting systems.
The statistical agencies or persons in charge of statistics in enterprises and institutions shall be under the guidance of the statistical
agencies under the local people s governments or township and town statisticians in statistical work.
In small and medium-sized enterprises and institutions where there are no full-time statisticians, some persons can be appointed to
be specially responsible for statistical work.
Article 27 The term as used for persons in charge of statistics refers to the persons who are mainly responsible for performing the functions
and responsibilities as stipulated in the Statistics Law on behalf of their departments or units. In the departments or units where
no statistical agencies are set up, some persons who are qualified to take up professional statistical posts shall be posted as persons
in charge of statistics.
Article 28 All localities, departments and enterprises and institutions shall establish professional statistical posts according to the relevant
state stipulations and the needs of the work.
Article 29 Before any person holding a professional statistical post is transferred, it is necessary to seek the opinion of the statistical
agencies or persons in charge of statistics in their respective localities, departments and units. Consent of the statistical agencies
of the immediate next higher level shall be obtained prior to the transfer of any person holding professional posts higher than intermediate
level.
Consent of the statistical agencies under the people s governments at the immediate next higher level shall be obtained prior to
the transfer of the chief of the statistical agencies under the local people s governments at and abo
