PIP: China's POPIN is an information network established in September 1986 in order to maintain the flow of information between 10 population information centers and over 49 members in institutes and schools. The goal was to enhance family planning program implementation to provide assistance to policymakers, to strengthen the population sciences, and to avoid duplication of effort. A working committee was established in April 1989 to reinforce cooperation and coordination between members and to assemble a basic set of information. Cooperative activity is concentrated on resource sharing, information research, and dissemination of information. In 1990 documentation of resources in member organization collections was begun. Annual meetings are a forum for discussing national standards for coding, classification, cataloguing, and using the bibliographic database of the network. On line retrieval has been made easier with a standard book classification system and unified subject headings. POPIN also holds annual meetings to discuss research findings and future research plans. Research findings are compiled and distributed annually. In June 1991, a professional working group was set up to edit and publish population information. Each member published 2-5 articles or documents/year. The group disseminates information in a systematic, comprehensive, and timely fashion for policymakers, family planning personnel, and researchers. International exchange of population data and information is promoted. Foreign experts in demography have been engaged to train staff members and exchange information. China POPIN is a member of global POPIN and Asia-Pacific POPIN and has participated in special seminars, conferences, and training sessions. China POPIN has interchanges with 170 related worldwide organizations. A cooperation arrangement with ESCAP has resulted in translation of more than 40 ESCAP monographs into Chinese and in population information directories. POPIN members are independent and with the authority and ability to conduct population information work separate from Beijing.