Xi’s southeast Asia visit highlights neighborhood diplomacy and China’s commitment to enhance relations with neighbors.
As President Xi Jinping begins his three-nation Southeast Asia tour, both domestic and international observers see this as a reflection of China’s enduring commitment to strengthening comprehensive partnerships with neighboring nations, aiming to support peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The five-day visit, covering Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, comes at a critical time. It aims to reinforce regional confidence and promote economic certainty amid global instability, particularly due to the U.S.-driven tariff wars.
Gu Jiayun, deputy dean at Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that the choice of Southeast Asia for Xi’s first overseas visit of the year—soon after China’s neighborhood-focused diplomatic conference—highlights the growing strategic priority Beijing places on its neighboring countries.
China has long prioritized its neighbors in foreign policy, promoting cooperation under Xi’s 2013 vision of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness as the guiding principle of regional diplomacy.
Currently, China is the top trading partner for 18 neighboring nations. China and ASEAN have remained each other’s biggest trade partners for five consecutive years.
Gu further emphasized that the trip underscores China’s intention to deepen ties across sectors and uphold peace and stability in partnership with ASEAN countries.
According to Luo Yongkun of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China-ASEAN collaboration is essential to regional stability, especially amid increasing global uncertainty and volatility.
Over the past three decades, China and ASEAN have built a strong and resilient partnership, becoming one of the most vibrant and effective models of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and globally.
Luo added that projects under Belt and Road Initiative have significantly improved infrastructure and economic conditions in ASEAN nations, benefiting the broader population.
Stabilizing economic ties with Southeast Asia not only benefits both sides, Luo said, but also bolsters economic stability across the Asia-Pacific.
Gu stated that China and Southeast Asian countries share deep-rooted interests and values across a wide range of fields including politics, security, trade, and culture.
He cited the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the near-final ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 as evidence of regional eagerness to pursue deeper economic integration with China amid global challenges.
Muhammad Habib from Indonesia’s CSIS said Xi’s visit is crucial during this period of rising tariff tensions and presents a chance to recommit to multilateralism and open economic cooperation.
Habib emphasized that the visit allows Southeast Asia to better coordinate its stance against protectionism and promote fair global trade through existing regional mechanisms like ASEAN-China economic meetings, the upgraded FTA, and RCEP.
Gu remarked that if the U.S. persists with protectionist policies, regional alliances based on shared culture and economic complementarity will grow increasingly important.
Such alliances can help reduce trade barriers, improve coordination, and reinforce supply chain stability—key to regional competitiveness and resilience against external shocks.
Gu concluded that China and ASEAN, as engines of global recovery, can safeguard the multilateral trade system, stabilize the region, and restore global economic confidence through continued cooperation.
Luo added that regional partners are looking to Xi’s visit for stability and direction for future development, and the guiding principles of China’s neighborhood diplomacy will help build broader consensus on peace, prosperity, and shared progress.
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