China's HE Art Museum (HEM) has postponed its planned opening in March due to ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The museum, in Shunde, Guangdong Province, is a private, non-profit art institution, devoted to collecting and exhibiting Chinese and global contemporary art. The 16,000sq m (52,500sq ft) site was designed by architect Tadao Ando, and was due to hold a ceremony to mark its opening on 21 March 2020.

However, with the virus outbreak having been declared a "public health emergency of international concern", and with major gatherings seen as imposing significant risk of further transmission of the virus, the museum has postponed its opening until further notice.

It said that a number of pre-opening initiatives, such as a London press event, and tours planned for international media and the public, have also been cancelled and will need to be rescheduled.

"The health and safety of HEM's staff, construction workers, artists, future visitors and international collaborators are of top priority," the museum said.