Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia in April 2025 aimed to position China as a reliable partner amidst increasing trade tensions with the US. The tour is seen as a calculated move to mitigate economic pressure, project stability, and reinforce China's leadership in the Indo-Pacific.
The visit coincided with a key party conference emphasizing relations with neighboring countries. Southeast Asia serves as a buffer, offering alternative trade routes and diplomatic support against US-led de-risking efforts. Numerous cooperation agreements were signed, highlighting China's commitment to economic engagement and contrasting it with perceived US protectionism. The agreements cover various sectors, including infrastructure, digital economy, AI, and agriculture.
Beyond economics, the tour aimed to showcase China's model of non-interference and economic engagement in contrast to what it presents as US interventionism. China's focus on infrastructure projects through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), cultural exchanges, and advancing a code of conduct in the South China Sea illustrates its soft power strategy.
The visit strategically targeted key ASEAN members, aiming to build stronger ties even with nations traditionally wary of China. China's approach focuses on tangible economic deliverables, while the US strategy, viewed by some as security-heavy and reactive, has been criticized for lacking market access incentives. China's success in presenting itself as an indispensable economic partner could complicate US efforts to build a coalition against China.
The tour also served a domestic political purpose. Demonstrating China's international standing despite western pressure strengthens Xi's authority and counters negative perceptions about the country's economic slowdown. It also signals continued Chinese support for the Global South.