Unite to face 'great struggles, major risks': Xi tells Communist Party officials ahead of its key Congress

Xi Jinping said that the party members must demonstrate tenacity and persistence to complete the journey.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that the Communist Party must be united to prepare for “great struggles and face major risks”, ahead of this month’s key Congress of the ruling party where he is expected to get endorsed for a record third five-year term unlike his predecessors.

In an article published in the party's journal Qiushi on Saturday, China’s National Day, 69-year-old Xi said the country “has never been closer” to achieving its great national rejuvenation, but the last mile would be full of perils and challenges.

“Our party must be united to lead the people to face major challenges effectively, defend against major risks, overcome major barriers and resolve major contradictions. We must press on with great struggles under new historical characteristics,” Mr. Xi wrote, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday.

He, however, did not elaborate.

His comments exhorting the 96-million-member strong Communist Party of China (CPC) came as it is set to hold the once-in-a-five-year Congress on October 16 here which would discuss the new political and economic policy frameworks for the future and also endorse Xi for a new five-year term in power or perhaps for life.

If endorsed, Mr. Xi will become the only leader after the party's founder Mao Zedong to continue in power beyond the stipulated 10-year term. Mr. Xi will be completing the 10-year term this year.

His call for the party's unity came as China under his leadership faced increasing isolation with growing adversity with the US, EU and Japan over Taiwan besides growing domestic pressures owing to economic slowdown exasperated by his zero COVID policy forcing lockdowns of various cities over recurring spikes of the virus.