Published by ChinaMNC · Gaoyang

Baoding’s Fourth National Agricultural Census: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

Baoding City has issued a notice for the Fourth National Agricultural Census, setting the standard time point at 24:00 on December 31, 2026. Foreign founders operating or registering agricultural businesses in Baoding should understand the census scope, data requirements, and compliance obligations.

Baoding Launches Fourth National Agricultural Census

The Baoding Municipal People’s Government has issued a notice (Baozheng Han [2025] No. 42) to implement the Fourth National Agricultural Census in the city, in accordance with State Council Notice (Guofa [2025] No. 9) and Hebei Provincial Government Notice (Jizheng Zi [2025] No. 22). The notice outlines the census targets, industry scope, content, standard time point, and organizational requirements. For foreign founders involved in agriculture or related sectors in Baoding, this census may affect your operations and data reporting obligations.

Who and What Is Covered

The census targets individuals and units within Baoding’s administrative boundaries, including:

• Rural households (both agricultural production and non-agricultural households)
• Urban agricultural production households
• Agricultural production and operation units
• Village committees
• Township people’s governments

Industry coverage includes crop farming, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, and agricultural support services. The census will collect data on agricultural production conditions, grain and food production, new quality productive forces in agriculture, rural development, and rural residents’ living conditions.

Key Dates and Data Requirements

The standard time point is 24:00 on December 31, 2026, and the reference period is the 2026 annual data. All targeted entities must provide accurate and timely information. The census involves a wide scope and high technical requirements, so cooperation from all sectors is essential.

Organizational Structure and Responsibilities

Baoding has established a leading group for the Fourth National Agricultural Census to coordinate major issues. Various municipal departments have specific roles:

• Finance Bureau: coordinates census funding.
• Development and Reform Commission: handles fixed asset investment guarantees.
• Statistics Bureau, Publicity Department, Cyberspace Administration: manage publicity and mobilization.
• National Bureau of Statistics Baoding Survey Team: oversees remote sensing measurements.

Departments with relevant basic data must promptly provide administrative records and data information.

Work Requirements and Compliance

The notice emphasizes several requirements for smooth implementation:

1. Law-based Census

All work must strictly follow the Statistics Law, its implementation regulations, and the National Agricultural Census Regulations. Any falsification or interference with data will be dealt with according to law and exposed publicly.

2. Responsibility at All Levels

Sub-district offices, residents’ committees, township governments, and village committees must mobilize social forces to participate and cooperate.

3. Quality Control

Data quality is the top priority. Training, process enforcement, data verification, and accountability mechanisms will be strengthened. Any human intervention in census data is strictly prohibited.

4. Funding Guarantee

Census funds are shared by central, provincial, municipal, and county governments through existing channels and included in annual budgets to ensure timely availability.

5. Publicity and Mobilization

All departments must use media and service platforms to publicize the census’s significance, requirements, and laws, encouraging respondents to cooperate.

Implications for Foreign Founders

If you run an agricultural business, including a foreign-invested enterprise engaged in crop farming, livestock, or related services in Baoding, you may be required to provide data for the census. Ensure your records for 2026 are accurate and complete. Non-compliance or data falsification could lead to legal consequences. Foreign founders should also note that census staff may visit your premises or request information; cooperation is mandatory under Chinese statistics law.

While the notice does not specifically address foreign entities, the census applies to all agricultural production and operation units within Baoding, regardless of ownership. If your company falls under the targeted categories, prepare to participate actively. The census results will inform future agricultural policies, which could affect your business environment.

For more details, consult the full notice (Baozheng Han [2025] No. 42) published on the Baoding government website.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.