Beijing, China (CNN) -- Census takers are fanning out across China, aiming to visit 400 million households over 10 days.
At last count in 2000, the country had 1.29 billion people.
About 6.5 million census takers are knocking on doors, often being ignored or turned away, state media says. Many people are reticent about answering government questions when their incomes are rising and some families have exceeded the country's one-child policy, China Daily said.
For the first time, China will count foreigners in its census. They have to answer only eight questions, compared with the 18 that most Chinese will face. The questions focus primarily on identity, sex, ethnic group, household registration and education.
"Questions about income and religious affiliation are not included," said Xing Zhihong, deputy director of Beijing's population census.
Nonetheless, many Chinese are wary.
CNN
