The world's biggest show in the mobile communications industry, Mobile World Congress, has been canceled this year due to concerns about the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The GSM Association, which organizes the show, said it has decided to cancel the event. The decision comes after more than a week of exhibitors and companies withdrawing from MWC 2020, which was scheduled to take place in Barcelona between Feb 24 and 27.

GSMA CEO John Hoffman said in a statement that "With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because of global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event."

"The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and Host City Parties will continue to work in unison and support each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions," Hoffman added.

The GSMA is an industry trade body that represents more than 1,200 companies across the mobile ecosystem.

Before the GSMA decision, Chinese telecom equipment ZTE had already decided to cancel a planned press event at the exhibition over coronavirus fears, and Chinese smartphone maker Vivo said it had decided to pull out .

But a string of Chinese players including Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi Corp, had said earlier this week they planned to attend the event as scheduled with better safety measures. Now they all have to rewrite their plans.