China will delay the release of key economic indicators originally scheduled to be announced this week, including the country's latest quarterly gross domestic product.

The Chinese government revealed on its website on Monday that it will postpone the publication of GDP data from July through September, housing prices in major cities and other key economic indicators.

Trade data, previously scheduled for release on Friday of last week, were also skipped.

It's extremely rare for the government to put off the release of important economic statistics.

Beijing said on its website that the previously scheduled dates for publication were part of an initial plan and may be changed.

The National Bureau of Statistics told NHK that the delay was due to a work-related issue.

The Chinese Communist Party's national congress is being held this week. The new leadership is expected to be officially launched as early as Sunday.

Some market analysts say the delay may be in consideration of the ongoing National Congress. They say it's no wonder the government delayed publication because the statistics were not good.