Some commentators believe the move was intended to shield Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping from popular anger over the coronavirus outbreak.
Watangazaji wengine wanaamini kuwa msimamo huu ilikuwa ya kulinda katibu mkuu wa Chama cha Kikomunisti ya Uchina Xi Jinping kutoka hasira ya umma juu ya mkurupuko wa virusi vya korona.