Xi hails China’s rise, demands unity

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping hailed China’s rise as a global power and demanded unity around his leadership on Sunday, launching a Communist Party Congress that is set to rubber stamp his bid to rule for a historic third term. In an opening address to 2,300 delegates gathered at the Great Hall of the People, Xi promoted and defended a range of signature policies — including zero-Covid and his anti-corruption drive that has taken down rivals in the party. BIG DAY People watch a screen showing China's President Xi Jinping speaking during the opening session of the 20th Chinese Communist Party's…