China will delay the opening of the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference, which was scheduled to be held in Beijing from May 5 to 7, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang confirmed on Thursday.

Considering the novel coronavirus outbreak, China made the decision after consulting with the UN, Geng said. Both sides will work on a new date for the conference according to the development of the pandemic, he said.

China attaches great importance to the meeting, and looks forward to hosting the conference this year after the pandemic declines, Geng said.