2010 Nov 01 The Census Is Here… Again
Some of you may remember the “pre-census” census back in August and September. Now the real thing is here and will last from November 1-10. We compiled some of our previous findings to remind everyone what to expect when the census takers show up.
Questions to expect:
Questions will include name, age, gender, nationality, reasons for coming to China, levels of education, and length of stay. We’ve never had a definite number on the questions expats can expect, but we believe it will be between 6 and 11. Authorities have stated income and religion will definitely not be part of the questions.
Information and Documents to Have:
Expats should make sure that they have their passport, visa information, registration and even landlord information on hand. Foreigners that are not properly registered with local police will be reported.
What to Look For and Watch Out For:
During the pre-census there were incidents of real estate agents and cops posing as census takers for one reason or another. Census takers should – but may not – have official census t-shirts and lots of other official bags, pens, etc, all with red Chinese and English lettering. However some takers admitted they didn’t always wear the requisite gear when collecting during the pre-census census.
Participation:
Officials constantly stress the need for participation and cooperation in the census. From our experience during the pre-census there seems to be no means of enforcing participation, and while punishment has been threatened, it seems pretty empty. When we called the census office they stated expats were not “required” to participate but they hoped foreigners would “cooperate.” Unless you’re here illegally – and being anywhere illegally is really not a good idea – it’s probably easier to simply answer the questions. And who knows, you might even get some soap.
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Census Counts Broken Bones and Dog Bites
A few weeks back we blogged about the month-long pre-census census and real estate agents and police taking advantage of the process to gain access to people’s homes. Today China Daily reported census takers have been facing their own problems, with nearly 200 injuries recorded in Beijing alone.
Your Census Questions Answered... sort of
We reported several weeks ago about the “pre-census” census taking place in Beijing from August 15 to September 15. Since then a lack of concrete information and several reports of suspicious behavior have left many readers asking serious questions about the whole process. Here at the Beijinger we’ve done some digging to try and answer your questions. Instead we’ve received vague answers and found a mass of conflicting reports in the Chinese media.
The Census is Coming to Your Door… Probably Several Times
Those of us who live in China get used to random intrusions into our homes by police or “volunteers” dropping in to check… well, who knows what they’re checking really, but check they do. On November 1 the biggest check of all begins, with the grandly titled “Sixth National Population Census,” which for the first time will include Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents –as well as foreigners living in China. Banners have been up for months, notices are starting to be pinned on doors, and “preliminary checks” have already begun around the city.
Aier2
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
Hmm, my passport is being processed for a visa at the moment.
What should I say if I accidentally open the door to these guys?
Good thing that I registered the other day after about 6 months of forgetting to do it.
danedwards
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
Nothing much you can do except explain the situation to them.
They'll probably say, "What's a visa?" and "What's the PSB?"
And then you can go back and forth for ten minutes trying to explain, and then they'll decide it's all too difficult since no-one told them what to do in such a situation, and then they'll say "Mmm, xing, mmm, hao, mmm, bye bye."
Then they'll come back the next day and you'll have to go through the whole thing again.
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tomomalley
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
18 item questionnaire, and about 10% subjected to a more "lengthy questionnaire" whatever that means, according to CCTV.
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danedwards
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
18 questions? That's a new one. Seems like everything in China they're making this up as they go along...
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Aier2
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
Guess I'll just be not answering my door, like usual.
Pretty amazing that they can organize something like this though.
Ten days for the whole country?
They can seriously mobilize.
lauren_mccarthy
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
according to the Global Times the "lengthy questionnaire" is 45 questions.
luckily expats have only 7 or 8 to answer according to this forum.
Managing Web Editor
danedwards
Re: The Census Is Here… Again
My friend was visited this morning and after answering the questions was handed a book that tells the reader what to eat, what to do when an earthquake happens and how to live a healthy life.
I can't wait. I'm guessing step one to living a healthy life is living somewhere other than Beijing...
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