Wuhan Zero Patients, Nationwide New Cases at 3 'Lowest'... Approaching Yanghoe Meeting (Comprehensive)

On the 26th, Chinese state media celebrated the milestone of recording zero COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, creating a festive atmosphere.

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, where the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spread most severely, has recorded zero patients. China is vigorously promoting the "Victory of Wuhan," raising the likelihood that the largest political event, the Two Sessions (Lianghui - the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), will be held soon and a declaration of the end of COVID-19 will be made.

On the 27th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, there were zero confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases in Wuhan, Hubei Province. All confirmed COVID-19 patients in Wuhan were cured and discharged the day before, and currently, there are no patients at all. The nationwide number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped to three, the lowest level since the outbreak.

Wuhan, where COVID-19 first broke out in China and suffered the most severe spread, turning into a clean area increases the possibility that the Two Sessions, which signify a government-level declaration of the end of COVID-19, will be held soon.

Chinese state media such as China Central Television (CCTV), Xinhua News Agency, and People's Daily have been extensively reporting that all COVID-19 patients in Wuhan have been discharged and that there are currently no confirmed cases remaining, creating a positive atmosphere. Using green as the background color, symbolizing a COVID-19 safe zone, they are announcing "Zero COVID-19 patients in Wuhan hospitals" and "Victory of Wuhan," suggesting that the end of COVID-19 is near.

Accordingly, if the COVID-19 stabilization continues during this week's Labor Day holiday (May 1-5), expectations for the holding of the Two Sessions are expected to grow further. The fact that schools in Beijing, where the Two Sessions will be held, have started reopening from today beginning with high school seniors also supports the possibility of the end of COVID-19 and the subsequent holding of the Two Sessions.

At the 17th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which was held yesterday for the first time in a hybrid format combining in-person and video conferencing, the anticipated date for the Two Sessions was not disclosed, but discussions among participants about the date have taken place. Xinhua News Agency stated, "The NPC Standing Committee reviewed the draft decision on the timing of the NPC plenary session," indicating that although the exact date of the Two Sessions has not been specifically announced, a general outline of when it will be held has been formed. Bloomberg weighs the possibility of the Two Sessions being held at the end of next month, leaving open the possibility of May 23-30.

The meeting held yesterday was conducted in a hybrid format with both on-site attendance and internet video connections for the first time ever, considering the COVID-19 situation. Among the 170 attendees, 47 participated via video conferencing. Holding the Standing Committee meeting in this hybrid manner, despite originally being scheduled for early March but postponed due to COVID-19, increases the likelihood that the Two Sessions will be held within a month.

Article 2 of the NPC Organizational Law stipulates that "The NPC Standing Committee must notify attending representatives of the opening date and agenda at least one month before the NPC convenes." The meeting focused on discussions of the draft amendments to the Solid Waste Environmental Pollution Prevention Law, the Biosafety Law, the Copyright Law, and the legal adjustment agenda for the Hainan Free Trade Pilot Zone. Legislative expert Zi Zhengfeng from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences predicted that the Two Sessions will be held soon and said, "As the COVID-19 outbreak subsides, these topics, which can provide new stimuli for China's social and economic development, will be the central focus of the upcoming Two Sessions."

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