BEIJING — The timetable for beginning a new semester and resuming classes in universities should be based on the local epidemic situation and the composition of students, Wang Dengfeng, an official with the Ministry of Education said March 31.

Noting that the ministry has set no unified requirements on resuming classes for universities, Wang, who is also an office director of the ministry's leading group on the COVID-19 response, said that universities across the country should take differentiated schedules.

Wang said graduating students and post-graduates with research tasks should be given priority in resuming classes, noting colleges dominated by local students will resume classes earlier, while colleges in high-risk areas should postpone resumption of classes.

He emphasized the importance of sticking to three principles, namely do not resume classes before the epidemic situation is basically under control, do not resume classes before the universities' prevention and control measures are in place, and do not resume classes when public health safety of teachers and students can not be guaranteed.

Universities will gradually resume classes in Qinghai province, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Shanxi province and Jiangsu province in April, according to Wang.