In light of recent developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO has decided the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, initially scheduled for June 29 through July 9, will be postponed to a later date. The announcement was made on April 15.

The 44th session of the committee was planned to be held in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province. It would be the second time for China to host such a key event on cultural heritage after 2009 in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

China Daily confirmed the schedule change with the National Cultural Heritage Administration, and was informed the session could still be held this year, but it will depend on the development of the pandemic.

"Consultations are currently underway to determine the exact dates of the session," the online announcement of UNESCO read. "Further information will be provided as soon as possible."

The committee is an annual occasion inscribing new World Heritages. The only Chinese candidate seeking the status is Historic Monuments and Sites of Ancient Quanzhou (Zayton) in Fujian, marking a key harbor for the ancient Maritime Silk Road.