BEIJING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China will conduct its second national economic census in 2008 to gather accurate data for scientific policy formation, the State Council said in a notice on Monday.

    The results will facilitate more effective macro-economic controls and more scientific mid- and long-term economic planning, the notice on the central government's Web site said.

    The census aims to gather information on layouts and energy consumption of all industrial and service-sector entities in 2008.

    Statisticians will also collect data on ownership, financial results, production capacity, staff and research and development activities, the notice stated.

    The State Council ordered local governments to clamp down on potential irregularities including providing fake data, forging census results and interfering in the census process.