China will see a significant change in the way it processes statistics starting next year, when a reform of the statistical management system is expected to take place, the top national statistics authority revealed.

Under the reform, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will take charge of original data so as to ensure its authenticity, said NBS director Ma Jiantang at a forum held at Peking University on Saturday.

"At least 1 million enterprises will directly report their data to the national bureau via the Internet monthly," Ma said in a speech, according to sina.com.

According to Ma, the bureau will implement a new nationwide program aimed at increasing data processing efficiency and ensuring statistics are not tampered with.

"The reform will largely guarantee statistical authenticity, as the original figures will go directly to the top authorities without any processing at different bureau levels," said Fang Xiangzhong, a statistics professor with Peking University.

Theoretically, no mistakes are allowed in statistical work, but errors are unavoidable when data is handled at all levels, Fang told the Global Times on Sunday, adding that the new plan will also benefit enterprises, whose work will be made easier.

Ma pointed out that fewer administrative restraints will help ensure the authenticity of statistics, so the management system should be reformed to alleviate the burden placed on enterprises.

The nation's statistical system has long been criticized by the public, which has expressed doubts over whether its methods are scientific or the data released is authentic.

A recent spate of scandals caused by the release of confidential statistics has also dealt a blow to its credibility.

Sun Zhen, an official with the NBS, and Wu Chaoming, who worked for the Financial Research Institute of the People's Bank of China, were sentenced to five and six years in prison respectively for leaking state secrets, the Beijing Times reported on Sunday.