Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to embark on a significant tour of Southeast Asia next week, visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that the five-day trip, spanning from Monday to Friday, will be Xi’s first overseas journey this year.
The visits come on the heels of a recent central conference on neighborhood work, where President Xi emphasized building a community with a shared future with China’s neighboring countries. “Neighboring countries are China’s priority in its diplomacy,” said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “China and Southeast Asian countries are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners with a shared future.”
Strengthening Ties with Vietnam
From Monday to Tuesday, President Xi will travel to Vietnam for his fourth state visit as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president. The trip coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, two socialist neighbors with an enduring bond described as “camaraderie plus brotherhood.”
Economic and trade cooperation between China and Vietnam has been thriving. China has been Vietnam’s largest trading partner since 2004, while Vietnam has been China’s largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 2016. In recent years, bilateral trade volume has exceeded $200 billion, showing steady growth, according to data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Deepening Cooperation with Malaysia
President Xi’s visit to Malaysia marks his first since 2013, when the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Earlier this year, Xi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed in Beijing to jointly build a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
China and Malaysia have maintained robust relations, with frequent high-level interactions and fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with trade volume hitting record highs. Malaysian tropical fruits like durian, mangosteen, and jackfruit have become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers.
Enhancing the “Ironclad Friendship” with Cambodia
President Xi will also visit Cambodia, following his last state visit in 2016. In September 2023, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet chose China as his first official overseas destination after assuming office, reflecting Cambodia’s diplomatic priority. During their meeting, Xi and Hun Manet pledged to further carry forward the ironclad friendship between the two countries.
China and Cambodia have continued to deepen strategic mutual trust and achieve fruitful outcomes in various areas of cooperation. China has been Cambodia’s largest foreign investor and trading partner for several consecutive years. The China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement, effective from January 1, 2022, marks Cambodia’s first-ever bilateral free trade arrangement. Trade volume between the two nations has shown significant growth in recent years.
“The upcoming visits by President Xi bear major importance for China’s relations with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, and ASEAN as a whole,” said Lin Jian. “They are expected to inject new impetus into the peace and development of the region and the world.”
Through these visits, China aims to strengthen coordination with these countries on regional and international issues, moving bilateral relations toward building high-level strategic communities with a shared future. This initiative is expected to contribute to the growing strength and unity of the Global South and promote peace and stability in the region.
