[Chen Muhua announces nationwide census in 1982]

A nationwide census, only the 3rd in the history of the People's Republic of China, will be taken in July 1982, announced Vice-Premier Chen Muhua at a meeting of the census office under the State Council which opened here today. The 1st census was conducted in 1953, and the 2nd in 1964. Chen, who is in charge of the census, told officials, population specialists and statisticians from across China it was unprecedented in both Chinese history and the history of the world to attempt to count a population that has been long estimated at 1 billion. The census has been proposed in order to ascertain a range of 20 demographic factors necessary for the effective administration of the current economic readjustment and China's modernization drive, the vice-premier said. It will assist family planning and population control, facilitate food and clothing supplies, and make possible assessment of construction needs--housing, hospitals, schools, and other public services, she continued. A great deal of trouble in planning and administration has been caused by the inadequacy of available figures, Chen said. The results will be calculated in 2 stages. Figures such as the number of households and people will be announced first, while other more precise breakdowns such as sex, age, nationality, education, marital status, and occupation will be available later. 2 experimental censuses were carried out in July, 1980. The 950,000 residents in both Wuxi City and Wuxi County in east China's Jiangsu Province, were surveyed. The conference, acting on reports and recommendations from these, will establish further experimental counts in the coming months, while preparatory procedures, organizational work, and regulations are to be discussed and consolidated. The 1982 nationwide census has the support of the UN's fund for population activities.