The People's Daily runs an editorial Friday, Dec. 24, calling for more public attention and participation in the upcoming first national economic census.

The editorial, titled "Do well in the economic census," says that the preparation work for the census has gone smoothly and entered the key stage. The country's first economic census is scheduled to begin December 31.

The census, directly organized by the State Council, covers former industrial, tertiary, basic units and construction industry surveys and is designed to create a sketch of China's economic sectors. It is "significant to the grand project of building an overall well-off society," according to the editorial.

The rapid growth of Chinese economy has raised more requests for national statistics. Securing accurate and timely economic data is vital for the central government to frame its macro-economic control policy, the editorial says.

A successful census will not only help the government to outline future economic and social plans, but also benefit company managers and professionals who draw business conclusions according to the reliable results of the census, says the paper.

"The census needs public participation from all walks of life,"reads the editorial. All participants should ensure the success of the census and the government departments should support and guide the work, helping participants to solve difficulties, the paper says.

The paper stresses that the accurate data are key to the success of the census. It asks all departments and individuals to report only factual economic information and requires that all work staff must protect the privacy and interests of the companies and people involved.

It also says that all departments and officials must not change the results of the census and vows to punish whoever violates the law on statistics.

Under the strong leadership of the State Council and local governments, the economic census will achieve the goal after concerted efforts of participants and cooperation of the general public, the paper says.

It was reported that the census will involve nearly 10 million statisticians and volunteers and could cost billions of yuan. China has launched state-level trial census programs in three provinces of Jilin, Zhejiang and Sichuan and the city of Beijing in this year.