China Confirms May 1-5 Labor Day Holiday Period

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] China has confirmed the Labor Day holiday from May 1 to 5 next month.

According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 9th, the State Council has set this year’s Labor Day holiday to be five days long from May 1, as usual. While the holiday lasts for five days, substitute workdays will be required on Sunday, April 26, and Saturday, May 9.

With new COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic infections continuing to emerge, the upcoming five-day holiday next month is expected to lead government authorities to further strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If COVID-19 is well controlled, the Labor Day holiday could serve as an opportunity to boost consumption in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a Politburo Standing Committee meeting the day before the Wuhan lockdown was lifted after 76 days and said, "China is facing increased pressure from overseas COVID-19 re-importation, and the resumption of factory operations and economic development are also confronting new difficulties and challenges," instructing efforts to strengthen epidemic prevention and normalize the economy.