Penalties to ensure census accuracy

China will strengthen the penalties for businesses and individuals providing false information in the fourth National Economic Census, to be conducted this year, and establish a data tracing and accountability system to ensure statistical quality, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

"Quality of data is the lifeline of the census," Jia Nan, deputy head of the bureau, said at a media briefing held by the State Council Information Office.

The upcoming census will help the nation properly grasp new changes in its economic development, achieve high-quality development, and improve the authenticity of economic data, she said.