BEIJING — The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will meet in late February to deliberate a draft decision on postponing the NPC's annual session, among other items on the agenda.

This was proposed when the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee met on Feb17. Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the top legislature's Legislative Affairs Commission, told Xinhua the considerations behind the move.

The third annual session of the 13th NPC was originally planned to open on March 5 in Beijing. Preparations for the session have been made.

But after the outbreak of COVID-19, epidemic prevention and control has become the most important work. It is now a crucial moment to curb the spread and win the battle, so no effort should be spared.

Many of the nearly 3,000 NPC deputies, including leading officials at the municipal, provincial levels and other fields, are fighting at the frontlines of the epidemic battle.

After careful evaluation, the Council of Chairpersons decided that it is necessary to postpone the annual legislative session to allow efforts to be concentrated on containing the epidemic. This is in line with putting people's lives and health as the top priority.

According to the Constitution and relevant laws, the NPC meets in session once a year and is convened by the NPC Standing Committee. The decision to postpone the session needs to be made by the NPC Standing Committee.

The NPC Standing Committee shall meet on Feb 24 in Beijing, and one of the items on the agenda is to deliberate the draft decision on postponing the annual legislative session, as was decided at the meeting of the Council of Chairpersons on Feb 17.

Meanwhile, the NPC Standing Committee will also prepare for revisions of the laws related to epidemic prevention and control.