国内英语新闻:Vice premier says China must improve credibility of statistics

BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- China must improve the quality, accuracy and credibility of statistics to better serve the country's social and economic development, said Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang in a letter addressed to a ceremony on Wednesday in Shanghai marking the first World Statistics Day.

A relatively standardized modern statistics system that conforms to China's national conditions and international standards have basically taken shape in China, according to the letter received by Xinhua on Wednesday.

Li said that as China will soon enter into the 12th five-year development period (2011-2015), it must push forward the development and reform of statistics gathering to provide accurate and comprehensive information in a timely way.

Li also said the Chinese government will continue to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in the realm of statistics.

The World Statistics Day, initiated by the United Nations, aims to promote knowledge about statistics among the public.