Beijing, China (LM) Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of Southeast Asia, which included visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, has been hailed as a resounding success, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Wang described the trip as a demonstration of China’s commitment to good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.
This tour marked Xi’s first overseas visit of the year, signaling China’s strong support for multilateralism and adherence to international trade rules. Wang emphasized that the strategic guidance provided by the leaders of China and Vietnam is crucial for the development of their bilateral relations. Both countries agreed to enhance their comprehensive strategic cooperation, aiming for higher quality and deeper collaboration characterized by “six mores.”
During Xi’s visit to Vietnam, significant advancements were made in bilateral railway cooperation, showcasing both nations’ commitment to shared development goals.
In Malaysia, the tour’s most notable achievement was the elevation of China-Malaysia relations to a new height, with leaders announcing the establishment of a high-level strategic community with a shared future. This initiative builds on the previous joint commitment made in 2023 to foster a China-Malaysia community.
Wang highlighted the agreement to lead in regional cooperation, particularly in innovative sectors such as the digital economy, green technology, and artificial intelligence.
Xi’s visit to Cambodia was marked by a landmark announcement with Prime Minister Hun Manet to elevate their relationship to an “all-weather” community, a first for China with a Southeast Asian country.
Throughout the tour, Xi stressed the importance of economic globalization and warned against the dangers of trade wars, which he argued could destabilize the global economic order and harm developing nations.
As key players in the Global South, Xi urged China and its Southeast Asian neighbors to enhance coordination, oppose unilateralism, and promote values of peace, cooperation, and inclusiveness. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to high-quality development and an open market, welcoming high-quality products from ASEAN members.
This tour reinforces China’s vision of fostering strong ties within the region while promoting a collaborative approach to shared challenges and opportunities.
