China to Confirm Dates for Two Sessions at Late April Meeting?

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Due to the spread of COVID-19, the Lianghui (兩會·National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), which was postponed for the first time since the reform and opening-up in 1978, is expected to have its schedule clarified by the end of this month.

According to diplomatic sources in Beijing on the 13th, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) is scheduled to be held in late this month. The source said, "It is worth paying attention to the NPC Standing Committee scheduled for late this month regarding whether the Lianghui will be held," and added, "If the Lianghui is to be held soon, the NPC Standing Committee may announce the date of the Lianghui."

The source explained, "Typically, about a month before the Lianghui, the agenda and other discussion topics are notified to the participants, and the Standing Committee also publicly announces related content." He added, "The development of overseas COVID-19 importation and the domestic infection situation in China could also be variables that determine the date of the Lianghui."

China convened the NPC Standing Committee on February 24 and announced the postponement of the NPC originally scheduled to open on March 5. At that time, when only the possibility of postponing the Lianghui was raised, the NPC Standing Committee clearly stated immediately after the meeting, "The NPC has been postponed to ensure the life, health, and safety of the people." However, only the postponement was confirmed, and no specific date for the Lianghui was announced.

Whether the Lianghui will be held may also affect Chinese President Xi Jinping's schedule to visit South Korea. Since the Lianghui is China's largest political event, the holding of the postponed Lianghui itself could signify the end of the COVID-19 crisis and a return to normal daily life. The South Korean government has maintained the position that "there is no change in the joint stance between the two countries that the visit will take place in the first half of this year" regarding President Xi's planned visit in the first half of this year.

A diplomatic source said, "To assess the possibility of President Xi's visit in the first half of the year, attention should be paid to the Lianghui and China's external diplomatic schedule announced for May," adding, "President Xi is invited to the 75th Victory Day event scheduled to be held in Russia on May 9. It is worth watching whether President Xi will attend. However, given the serious COVID-19 situation in Russia, the possibility of postponing the Victory Day event cannot be ruled out."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.