China's first national economic survey should be conducted in accordance with the law, said Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan, head of the State Council Leading Group on the First National Economic Survey.

Zeng, addressing a national teleconference on Monday, said that the survey is important to strengthen the ruling capacity of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and to improve the government's administrative work.

The newly-published "Provisions on National Economic Survey" provided the survey with a legal base, the official stressed.

The country's first economic survey will cover all local enterprises and business of various forms, including more than 5 million legal person units in the first and second industries, more than 7 million institutions that have engaged in business activities, and more than 23 million small businesses which employless than eight people each. These businesses account for more than 85 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

The date for the survey is Dec. 31, 2004.

Source: Xinhua