The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown measures have paralyzed China's economy as well as its conventional political schedule, with the annual session of the National People's Congress to be held about two months late.

Press release by National Bureau Statistics, China confirms that the economy has reported a recession in the first quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19.

Press release by National Bureau Statistics, China confirms that the economy has reported a recession in the first quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19.As a result of COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown restrictions, the shrinking of the economy was reported in all fields such as industrial output, investment, retail sales in China. The total retail sales of consumer goods had reached 10,675.8 billion yuan, which is 16.2 per cent year less than the last year(2019). Statistical data shows that urban investment, as well as retail sales, also fell sharply for the first time. Analysts viewed that China’s gross domestic product has a shrink of 6.5% in January-March compared to 2019.

The Chinese Government's State Council Information Office on 19 May 2020, stated that the annual sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body National People's Congress(NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC)) would be held on 22 May 2020. It mentioned that the sessions were postponed for more than two months due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.