(Shanghai, January 20, 2026) – China’s National Bureau of Statistics Director kang Yi stated that the country will enhance its statistical monitoring capabilities to better reflect economic realities as it approaches the end of its 14th Five-Year Plan in 2025.
China plans to improve its economic data collection and analysis as it nears the conclusion of its current five-year economic plan.
- Director Kang Yi announced plans to strengthen statistical monitoring.
- the move comes as China prepares to assess the results of its 14th Five-Year Plan.
- Improved data collection aims to provide a more accurate picture of the nation’s economic performance.
speaking at a press conference held at the State Council yesterday, Kang Yi emphasized the importance of accurate and timely data for effective economic policymaking, according to reports from the news conference.
Kang Yi stated, “In the face of 2025, we will further enhance the capacity building of statistical monitoring,” as reported by the news conference.
Why It Matters
This announcement signals a potential shift in how China assesses and presents its economic data. For years, international observers have questioned the accuracy and transparency of Chinese economic statistics. Strengthening statistical monitoring could be an attempt to address these concerns and provide a more reliable picture of the country’s economic health, both domestically and internationally.This is notably critically importent as China navigates a period of economic transition and seeks to maintain investor confidence. The focus on data quality as the 14th Five-Year Plan concludes suggests a desire for more evidence-based policymaking in the next phase of economic development.
the 14th Five-Year plan, spanning from 2021 to 2025, has focused on goals such as technological self-reliance, green development, and common prosperity. Improved statistical monitoring will be crucial for evaluating the success of these initiatives and informing the direction of future economic policies.
The move also comes amid a broader global trend toward greater data transparency and accountability. By enhancing its statistical capabilities, China may be seeking to align itself with international best practices and foster greater trust in its economic reporting.
Why: The enhancement of statistical monitoring is driven by a need to improve the accuracy and transparency of China’s economic data,addressing long-standing concerns from international observers. It also aims to support evidence-based policymaking as the country transitions into the next phase of economic development.
Who: The initiative is spearheaded by kang Yi, Director of China’s National Bureau of Statistics, and is a directive from the State Council. The effort will involve the entire statistical monitoring apparatus within China.
What: The core of the initiative involves “further enhancing the capacity building of statistical monitoring,” which translates to improvements in data collection, analysis, and reporting methodologies. This includes a focus on evaluating the success of the 14th Five-Year Plan’s goals.
How did it end?: The announcement, made at a State council press conference, signals the beginning of this enhancement process, not its conclusion. The full impact of these changes will be seen as China assesses the results of the 14th five-Year Plan in 2025 and prepares for the next phase of economic planning. The initiative is ongoing and its success will be measured by the quality and reliability of future economic data releases.
Worth a look
