Chinese leader Xi Jinping prepares for high-stakes meeting with Vladimir Putin on first trip abroad since start of Covid-19 pandemic

Much is at stake for Beijing when President Xi Jinping travels to Central Asia, with Xi expected to meet Vladimir Putin on the Chinese leader’s first trip abroad since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and Kyiv pushing back hard on Russian troops in its biggest victory for months.

Beijing confirmed on Monday that Xi will start a three-day trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday, and will then attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan.