Geographical names survey to begin in July

The second national geographical names' survey will be carried out from July 2014 to June 2018, said Gong Puguang, vice-minister of civil affairs, on Thursday.

The survey will include identifying geographical names and its related attributable information, naming unknown places and standardizing geographical names. A complete national database of geographical names will be established.

The State Council issued the notice on Jan 23 about conducting the second national geographical names' survey. The first such survey was conducted from 1979 to 1986.

"Over the past 30 years, the issue with geographical names has changed greatly with the rapid development of the economy, society and urbanization," said Gong, who added that the survey is important and vital.