China's population climbs to 1.34 billion

China's population grew by 6.3 million in 2010, reaching 1.341 billion, according to a preliminary estimate from the National Bureau of Statistics. A final count will follow completion of the country's first full census in 10 years, with results expected in April.

The last comprehensive census, conducted in 2000, put the total at 1.295 billion. Authorities credit the one-child policy, in place since 1980, with preventing around 400 million births. In 1953, when China held its first census, the population stood at just 594 million.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in February 2011, in its own words.