China orders statistics bureau to fight fake data with modern technology

China's National Bureau of Statistics has been given a new mandate to combat fabricated data through the use of advanced technology, as per the latest revision of its responsibilities endorsed by the Chinese government. The State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform published the revised scheme on October 28, which came into effect the same day.

The bureau, a joint Communist Party and state body, will employ a multi-faceted strategy to guarantee the accuracy and scientific integrity of its statistical data. This includes enhancing quality control measures during data collection and enforcing stricter regional audits of figures. The bureau is specifically charged with leveraging modern technologies to strengthen its ability to detect statistical fabrication.

In addition, the NBS will intensify its oversight and law enforcement inspections to establish a robust, authoritative, and dependable supervisory system. Experts have previously raised concerns about the reliability and transparency of China's data, as well as the lack of transparency, while Beijing relies on accurate statistics to inform its policy decisions.

In December 2023, the NBS issued a stern warning to local authorities against fabricating statistics and manipulating data collection processes to artificially boost economic performance. This followed instances of falsified data in the Guizhou province and interference in data gathering by county governments in Shaanxi. In mid-2022, Zhang Jinghua, a former deputy party chief of Jiangsu province, was removed from the Communist Party after being accused of fabricating economic data for personal advancement and meddling in market activities in violation of regulations.

The NBS is also planning to modernize its survey methods with a "digital and intelligent transformation," integrating big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence into statistical work to improve efficiency and scientific rigor. The bureau's internal structure has been reorganized, with departments such as the Department of Energy Statistics, now renamed as the Department of Ecology, Environment, and Energy Statistics, and a newly created Department of Population and Livelihood Statistics, which will expand its focus to include population dynamics, labor force surveys, wages, household income, and migrant workers.