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Number-crunchers 'must keep it real'

By Tan Yingzi (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-30 07:43

Screw with the numbers and you could screw yourself out of a job.

Such was the word given to China's number-crunchers, the ones who gather the information used to guide government decisions.

"False statistics will eventually lead to improper policies that can seriously affect people's lives," said Yang Yansui, director of the institute of social policy study with Tsinghua University.

According to new regulations that take effect tomorrow, anyone who makes false reports, compiles fake data, deliberately delays a report or leaks confidential information can be fired.

Yang said the regulations are timely and it's necessary for government to improve its statistics, which can lead to better management.

Since the drive to open up was initiated in the late 1970s, China has made progress in data collection and analysis, the central government said on its website.

"But some departments and local governments break laws while gathering and reporting data. Their actions affect the quality of statistics and impair the information on which decisions are based."

Bad or false information can also harm researchers.

"When I did a social security field study last year, I found that the poor statistical support from local departments really made my work very difficult," Yang said.

The collection of data plays a big role in China's plans to improve its social conditions over the next few years, she said.

The regulations were drafted by the Ministry of Supervision, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.