Recently, the National Bureau of Statistics ("NBS") has issued the Administrative Measures for Departmental Statistical Survey Projects (the "Measures"), effective from October 1, 2017.
The Measures stipulate that the development of departmental statistical survey projects should require the consideration of reducing the frequency of surveys, narrowing down the scale of surveys, decreasing the costs incurred from surveys, and easing the burden of grassroots statistical staff and respondents in statistical surveys. Where it is possible to obtain statistical materials through administrative records and the processing of big data, a statistical survey is not permitted. Also, the statistical survey system should specify five types of particulars, including the "time and channels of releasing major statistical indicators". Additionally, the Measures make it clear that departmental statistical survey projects are subject to the period of validity administration. The period of validity is three years for an approved statistical survey project and five years for a filed statistical survey project. Moreover, the Measures note that when statistical institutions of the governments at or above the county level perform their duties of supervision and inspection, relevant departments should report true situations, and provide relevant certifications and materials, and should neither refuse or impede the inspections, or transfer, conceal, falsify, destroy or discard any certifications and materials.