China May Postpone National People's Congress Due to COVID-19 Spread

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] Japanese Kyodo News reported on the 14th that the Chinese Communist Party and government are considering postponing the National People's Congress (NPC), which was scheduled to be held in Beijing from the 5th of next month.

A Communist Party source stated about the NPC, "It is difficult to hold it as scheduled. The timing is undecided." It appears that concerns about the increased risk of spreading the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) if people gather in Beijing played a role.

The news agency also mentioned the possibility of postponing the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is held in conjunction with the NPC. More than 5,000 people gather at the CPPCC. Prior to the NPC, local people's congresses held across China are also reportedly being postponed one after another.