As China's economy slows down, Xi issues red alert to Communist party

Xi's 'seminar' with top provincial leaders and ministers was held on the same day that China reported its slowest quarterly economic growth since the depths of the global financial crisis in 2009

President Xi Jinping stressed the need to maintain political stability in an unusual meeting of China's top leaders -- a fresh sign the ruling party is growing concerned about the social implications of the slowing economy.  

Xi told a "seminar" of top provincial leaders and ministers in Beijing on Monday that the Communist Party needed greater efforts "to prevent and resolve major risks," the official Xinhua News Agency said. He said areas of concern facing the leadership ranged from politics and ideology to the economy, environment and external situation.

"The party is facing long-term and complex tests in terms of maintaining