Dilated figures from local statistics bureaus will hopefully be "squeezed out" next year, a deputy to China's top legislature said Wednesday, as figures reported by local bureaus have to be double checked by their superiors under the country's new top-to-bottom statistical probe system, valid since Jan. 1, 2005.

"The gap between local and national statistics regarding the GDP growth is expected to narrow next year," said Ye Qing, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Statistics Bureau, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Earlier this week, Li Deshui, director general of the National Statistics Administration, criticized local authorities for inflating their GDP growth, noting the country's GDP growth rate for 2004 could have been 15.5 percent -- instead of 9.5 percent --if local figures were believed.

NSB started statistics probe tours to audit local reports in 2004 and will conduct comprehensive investigation in five provinces each year to ensure local figures are accurate and contain as fewer flaws as possible.

NSB is also authorized to demand explanations from local bureaus for any possible flaws in their reports, a move that will surely discourage local governments from exaggerating economic growth with inflated figures.

"These measures will help local statistical bureaus withstand pressures from local governments," said Ye Qing, who was authorized by China's top legislature to inspect statistics work in a number of cities and counties in the central Hubei Province last year. "Statistics bureaus have to be independent from local governments to provide authentic and trust-worthy figures."

At the ongoing annual session of the 10th National People's Congress, Ye has also appealed for amending China's statistical law at an earlier date to further clarify the role of statistics departments.

Source: Xinhua