The visit to Uzbekistan, if it goes ahead, would be part of Xi's first foreign trip in 2½ years. Xi has only left mainland China once - to make a one-day visit to the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong - since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in late 2019. When asked about the trip, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily briefing Wednesday: "On your question, I have nothing to offer."
