China puts 65m people into semi-lockdown ahead of party summit

Offices, schools and shops to close before congress at which Xi expected to get third presidential term

China has intensified its efforts to rein in outbreaks of Covid-19 ahead of a major political meeting by placing about 65 million people under semi-lockdown, according to local media reports.

The Chinese Communist party will begin its 20th congress on 16 October, with party chief Xi Jinping widely expected to be reinstated as president for a third term.