First census launched

Palestinians launched their first census in a decade yesterday, visiting thousands of homes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the hope of boosting their bid for an independent state.

About 1,000 officials spread out across towns in Palestinian territories, drawing blue and red numbers on homes and offices ahead of a head count in December. The colorful markings will be used later to help count communities more easily.

Palestinian officials hope the first census since 1997 will lay the ground for a future independent state and bolster their position in peace talks with Israel.

(China Daily 10/18/2007 page10)