China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revised the preliminary statistics for last year, raising the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate from 9.9 to 10.2 percent.

A report released by the NBS on Wednesday revised the GDP in 2005 to 18.3 trillion yuan (US$229.6 billion), up 10.2 percent from 2004.

The preliminary statistics released in January showed the total GDP in 2005 was 18.2 trillion yuan (US$228 billion), up 9.9 percent from 2004.

The NBS amended its check and release system for GDP in 2003 so as to give a more accurate reflection of the actual development of the national economy, dividing the system to three steps: preliminary calculation, preliminary check, and final check.

Statisticians said the GDP statistics should be revised regularly as more data became available.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2006)