The domestic media are reporting that China plans to start construction of its population database.

Upon completion, the database is expected to be largest in the world, consisting of 1.3 billion people. The database will assist in solving such tasks as employment, tax collection, census, family planning and crime investigation as well as improve work efficiency and lower administration costs.

The database will consist of four parts: 1) basic information, 2) population management, 3) service coordination information and 4) information maintenance. Given the large population of China, the logistics of the population database will be very complicated. The undertaker of the project is required to have such qualifications as 3rd class certification or above, experience in similar projects, and a registered capital of at least 10 million CNY.

So far, Digital China, Great Wall Computer, Lenovo and China Science Software have all placed bids for the project.