China is set to launch its first national census of geographic conditions between 2013 and 2015, according to a cabinet decision published on March 5.

A State Council circular said that the census will target natural and cultural elements on the Earth's surface within China's territory.

Information will be collected on land features, vegetation, waters, deserts and bare areas, as well as transport grids, residential areas and facilities, the document said.

Preparations will be completed in the months before June, followed by a 24-month first phase process through June 2015, which will feature data collection and processing, field investigations and review.

In the second phase scheduled for July-December 2015, the tasks will be sorting, gathering and analysis of information, and forming a census report.

Food Poisoning

The Ministry of Health said on March 5 that 6,685 people suffered from food-borne illnesses in 2012, with 146 of the victims consequently dying, up 6.6 percent over the previous year.

Poisoning due to contact with toxic plants, animals and mushrooms resulted in the largest number of poisoning cases, as well as the greatest number of deaths, the ministry said.

Most poisoning cases and deaths occurred at home, the ministry said.

It has urged health departments at all levels to strengthen supervision and risk evaluations for food-borne illnesses while boosting their ability to cope with emergencies.

The ministry also called for intensified training regarding clinical treatment, epidemiology research and lab examinations.

Jumbo Jet

China's first jumbo jet, C919, is expected to make its maiden flight in 2014 as planned, its chief designer told the Xinhua News Agency on March 4.

The design of C919's airframe has been completed and the ground tests of the jet's major equipment will start in 2013, said Wu Guanghui, Vice General Manager of the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC), the aircraft's manufacturer.

The COMAC will complete a series of technical reviews and conduct over 40 wind tunnel tests in 2013, according to Wu.