Ahead of crucial party congress, Xi faces doubts over policies

A huge red banner lining a corridor in a warehouse-like Shanghai quarantine hospital declares Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s exhortation in bold white characters: “Persistence is Victory!”

Mr. Xi’s call for persistence is now China’s watchword – not only in the battle to contain the country’s biggest COVID-19 outbreak but also across many other fronts. His overarching goal: to prevent social unrest and political doubts in the run-up to the crucial 20th Congress of the ruling Communist Party this fall, when Mr. Xi is expected to win a rare third term in power.