Chinese and English versions of the 2004 Yearbook of the People's Republic of China (PRC) have been published by the Xinhua News Agency. The yearbook will be distributed at home and abroad, according to official sources.

The yearbook, the 24th since 1981, covers all social and economic issues in 41 categories to offer a handy reference for both Chinese and foreign readers. All its figures have been checked by authoritative persons and experts from central and local government departments.

The Chinese version contains approximately three million characters.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2004)