Chinese President Xi Jinping has begun a high-stakes diplomatic tour in Southeast Asia, seeking to bolster trade ties with key economies and position China as a stable partner against the backdrop of the US-China trade war.
Xi arrived in Vietnam on Monday, followed by visits to Malaysia and Cambodia, as countries in the region navigate growing tensions with both Washington and Beijing. The Chinese leader is expected to cast China as a reliable defender of global trade, capitalizing on the turmoil unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s tariff whiplash.
Vietnam, which has seen significant Chinese investment in recent years, will host Xi for a series of meetings and agreements, including cooperation on railways, agricultural trade, and the digital economy. The two countries are set to sign around 40 agreements, with China committing billions of dollars in loans and investments.
However, relations between China and its neighbors have been strained in recent years, particularly over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Xi’s visit comes as tensions remain high, with Chinese warships conducting live-fire drills near Vietnam in February.
Despite these challenges, Xi is seeking to present a united front, urging countries to “properly manage differences” and “safeguard peace and stability” in the region. The Chinese leader emphasized the importance of multilateral trade and cooperation, warning that protectionism will lead nowhere.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/14/asia/china-xi-southeast-asia-visit-trump-tariffs-intl-hnk/index.html