China Tackles $1 Trillion Data Gap as Xi Changes Metrics

The gap in reported economic output between China’s provinces and national statistics narrowed for the first time in six years as Communist Party leaders vowed to reduce the focus on growth in evaluating local officials.

The combined nominal economic output of the 31 provinces expanded about 9.2 percent in 2013 to 62.9 trillion yuan ($10.4 trillion), according to data reported by local governments since December and compiled by Bloomberg News. That exceeded the national figure by 6.06 trillion yuan, or 10.7 percent, after an 11 percent margin in 2012.