Larry Williams Drive

China has abruptly delayed the publication of key economic data, one day before its scheduled release, as the ruling Communist Party gathers at a major political meeting against the backdrop of a faltering economy. The country's National Bureau of Statistics updated its schedule on Monday, with the dates for a series of economic indicators -- including the closely-watched GDP growth -- marked as "delayed." The indicators, which had been scheduled for release on Tuesday, also include quarterly retail sales, industrial production and monthly unemployment rates. The bureau did not give a reason for the delay or set a new publication date. Separately, the country's customs authority also postponed the release of monthly trade data, which were initially scheduled to come out on Friday. The delay of the highly anticipated data coincides with the week-long 20th Communist Party National Congress in Beijing, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to secure a norm-breaking third term in power. Priorities presented