China's second national economic census is due to get underway by the end of the year possibly on the very last day of 2008.

The census aims to determine economic patterns of development in secondary and tertiary industries. Related departments are now setting up census organs, drafting census plans and conducting surveys in pilot areas. From January to September next year, the National Bureau of Statistics will survey all enterprises nationwide. Final results will be released after October, next year.

Ma Jiantang, Director of National Bureau of Statistics said "About 10 million legal entities and more than 30 million private businesses will be involved in the census this year."

China conducted its first economic census in December, 2004. The government upgraded its GDP estimate for the year by 16.8 percent after input from the nationwide survey. The government also issued many preferential policies to tertiary industries based on the survey results.

Ma Jiantang said "Many local governments were developing tertiary industries at that time. The State Council later made a decision to step up the development of tertiary industries. This was in direct response to the census results."

The census is conducted every five years. The data obtained will provide officials with information needed to draw up long-term policies.

(CCTV December 8, 2008)