Stats bureau aims at more 'credible' data

China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is set to revamp its data collection and publication methods to improve the accuracy and credibility of its figures, state media reported. The NBS said it plans to broaden trials of a unified system for calculating local gross domestic product, and will publish monthly data excluding seasonal factors from next year to better reflect fluctuations in economic growth. The bureau also said it would publish figures on housing vacancy rates and improve the collection of data on housing price growth. The NBS has come under fire over the past several years for releasing data widely deemed to be inconsistent with on-the-ground reports of local economic activity.