Xi began fighting the virus earlier than previously known, a newly published speech indicates. China’s Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping, issued internal orders about the coronavirus epidemic in early January, about two weeks before his first public remarks on the outbreak, according to a speech by Mr. Xi that was published Saturday. The speech confirmed for the first time that he was aware of the virus while officials at its epicenter were openly downplaying its dangers. In the speech, Mr. Xi said that he had initially given orders about the coronavirus outbreak on Jan. 7, during a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee, the Communist Party’s topmost body. That places Mr. Xi’s involvement with fighting the epidemic earlier than previously known. Mr. Xi’s earliest public comment on the epidemic was Jan. 20, when he gave brief instructions on the issue that were published by state media. In early January, […]