The top legislature, the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), yesterday approved a draft decision on thoroughly banning illegal wildlife trade and eliminating the bad habits of eating wild animals to safeguard people’s lives and health.

The aim is to make clear the complete ban on the consumption of wild animals in a timely manner, crack down on the illegal trade in wild animals, and provide a strong legislative guarantee for winning the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak and protecting people’s lives and health before the relevant laws are amended.

On Jan. 26, Chinese authorities issued a nationwide suspension on the trade of wild animals, in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Also, the two sessions — China’s biggest annual political event — will be postponed this year due to the novel coronavirus, and the specific time for their rescheduling has not been decided yet, the top legislature and top political advisory body announced yesterday.

The term “two sessions” is shorthand for the annual plenary session of the National People’s Congress, and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Traditionally, the CPPCC National Committee starts its annual gathering March 3, and the NPC on March 5. About 3,000 national legislators and around 2,200 national political advisers travel to Beijing for the two sessions.

However, as now is still a crucial time in fighting the novel coronavirus epidemic and many national legislators and political advisors are working on the front lines, it is necessary to delay this year’s two sessions, per a decision made by the NPC Standing Committee yesterday and a decision made by a recent Chairperson’s Council meeting of the CPPCC National Committee.

Both bodies said the time the sessions will start this year will be decided at a later date.