BEIJING - The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will get facts and figures of 700,000 industrial, service and real estate companies directly from the nationwide data acquisition and processing platform starting from Feb 18, a statement on its website said on Tuesday.

These companies, which contribute about 80 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, can upload statistical sheets, including production, income and spending statements, straight to the National Data Center or approved provincial data centers through the Internet. It will bypass the data reporting process to local governments.

Ma Jiangtang, chief of the NBS, said that the direct reporting mechanism could help to lighten the burden on companies and improve efficiency in statistical work. "It is a significant reform of China's statistical system," said Ma.

"The key is to make sure that businesses can give true information independently. It can enhance the data's authenticity and provide a better indication of economic development."