Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access China data?
Access China's official statistics through our free API at chinadata.live/api/v2/. No authentication required. Just visit chinadata.live/api-docs for full documentation.
What data sources do you use?
We use official government sources including the National Bureau of Statistics of China, IMF, World Bank, and UN Data. All data is cited and sourced.
How often is the data updated?
Our datasets are updated as new official data becomes available. Most are updated daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the data type. Check the dataset page for specific update frequency.
Can I use this data for commercial purposes?
Original source data remains subject to the rights and restrictions of its providers. No blanket license applies to every chart, metadata record, cleaned file, or API response. See /license/ for details.
How do I cite China Data Portal?
China Data Portal (2026). [Dataset Name]. Retrieved from https://chinadata.live/data/[dataset-slug]/
Do you provide data downloads?
Yes! You can download data in CSV files or JSON via the API. Use the download button on dataset pages or access via API.
Is there an API rate limit?
Yes. Anonymous access is limited to 1,000 requests per IP per UTC day across core data and trade endpoints. Request higher access if you need sustained API volume.
Can I get real-time data?
Updates follow each source's publication schedule. Contact us to discuss a recurring feed or update notifications.
Still have questions?
Contact us on Twitter @ChinaDataLive or check our API Documentation and Data Use & Licensing.