Until February 27, a total of 99 commercial certification authorities of national trade promotion system had issued 4318 force majeure slips to coronavirus-hit companies, covering a total contract value of about 330.8 billion yuan.

Zhang Hanrong, Director of Commercial Certification Department of CCPIT Commercial Certification Center, said, a total of 27 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government have issued force majeure slips to coronavirus-hit companies. The service also covers counties and districts.

The certificates issued involve more than 30 industries in China, among which manufacturing, production and distribution of power, heat, gas and water, wholesale and retail, construction, leasing and business services are the five areas with the most certificates issued.

The force majeure certificate, a factual proof in the field of commercial certification, is issued by CCPIT and its mandated sub-councils to virus-hit applicants to prove force majeure related events. It is an important proof document for a contract party to claim partial or complete exemption from the liability for non-performance, partial performance or delay in performance of the contract.