China's Largest Political Event 'Lianghui' Scheduled to Be Held in March as Planned

State-run Global Times: The Two Sessions Will Proceed Normally Without Postponement
Last Year, They Were Delayed About Two Months Due to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China will proceed with this year's scheduled sessions of the Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) as planned, according to the state-run Global Times on the 19th. The Two Sessions, China's largest political event, were postponed by about two months last year due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The media outlet reported that the possibility of postponing this year's Two Sessions is low, and they will be held under strict quarantine measures similar to last year's, including online press conferences.

Concerns arose that the nationwide Two Sessions might be postponed again, as Hebei and Liaoning provinces, where COVID-19 cases are surging, delayed their local Two Sessions.

Li Zhongsheng, a representative of the National People's Congress, stated that the current COVID-19 situation would not significantly affect the Two Sessions. He added that attendees would basically only be allowed to move between the event venue and their hotels.

He also anticipated that, as with last year, attendees would likely have to undergo nucleic acid testing both before departing for Beijing and after arriving there.

Another NPC representative, Mai De, said the Two Sessions would be held as planned, noting that this year marks the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and the main task of the Two Sessions is to approve this plan.

He mentioned that since China has accumulated experience in epidemic prevention, the quarantine measures for this year's Two Sessions might be more relaxed than last year's.

Tam Yu-chung, Hong Kong's sole NPC Standing Committee member, predicted that considering China's effective epidemic prevention measures, this year's Two Sessions will undoubtedly open as scheduled.

In Henan, the Two Sessions opened on the 18th but shortened the schedule from the usual 5 to 6 days to 3.5 days. Beijing also reduced the duration of its Two Sessions, which open this weekend, to 4.5 days.