After the fanfare, what did China’s Xi Jinping achieve on his trip to Southeast Asia? | South China Morning Post

Xi Jinping's Southeast Asia Trip: A Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping's weeklong trip to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia emphasized regional unity against US protectionism. The visit involved significant diplomatic fanfare, including official welcomes and ceremonial events.

Key Messages

Xi's key message throughout the trip was the need for countries to stand firm against protectionism and unilateral actions from the US. This message was consistently delivered in meetings with leaders in each country.

• Vietnam: Xi urged resistance to “unilateral bullying.”
• Malaysia: Xi advocated for countering unilateralism and protectionism.
• Cambodia: Xi highlighted the negative impact of trade wars on the multilateral trading system.

Observers interpreted the trip as a strategic move to enhance China's regional influence and position it as a counterbalance to the US's trade policies.

Expert Opinion

Dylan Loh, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University, highlighted that the trip's main message was China's role as a counterbalance to American protectionism.