Chinese statistics bodies at all levels are urged to render
accurate statistics on the country's economic losses caused by
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in May and June, according
to the National Bureau of Statistics.
All local statistics departments should keep a close eye on the
effects of SARS on any economic and social sector and report the
statistics according to the facts, the bureau said in a recent
circular to its branches, quoted by Saturday's China Daily.
Though the outbreak of SARS has seen no obvious effect on the
country's economy last month, the negative effects will gradually
be seen in economic indices for May and June, the newspaper
said.
The bureau said that the situation is a challenge to statistics
bodies nationwide and is a test to see if they can speak the
truth.
The central government needs accurate, practical and exact reports
and statistics and even the slightest cover-up should not be
allowed, the newspaper quoted the bureau as saying.
The bureau said that officials who cover up the facts will be
punished in line with the Law on Statistics.
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2003)
