Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a significant three-nation tour of Southeast Asia on April 21, 2025, returning to Beijing after state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The trip, marked by over 100 cooperation agreements across political, economic, and security domains, underscored China’s commitment to strengthening ties with its neighbors at a time of heightened global uncertainty. Amidst challenges like the United States’ tariff wars and broader geopolitical turbulence, Xi’s visit has been hailed by regional leaders and experts as a pivotal moment for fostering unity and rejecting unilateralism in favor of a rules-based international order.
Strategic Partnerships in a Shifting Global Landscape
Xi’s first overseas journey of 2025 came on the heels of Beijing’s central conference on work related to neighboring countries, signaling a clear prioritization of regional diplomacy in China’s foreign policy. The tour, which included stops in Hanoi, Putrajaya, and Phnom Penh, was framed by Chinese officials as a demonstration of solidarity with Southeast Asian nations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized during a media briefing that all three countries expressed appreciation for China’s focus on its neighbors, a sentiment echoed by local leaders who welcomed Beijing’s stabilizing role in a volatile global environment.
In Vietnam, Xi met with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, who highlighted the strengthened confidence in overcoming shared challenges following the visit. “A series of key common understandings reached during this fruitful visit has elevated our people-to-people friendship to new heights” said To Lam during a farewell address. The two nations announced the establishment of a “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy, defense, and public security at the ministerial level, alongside the launch of a railway cooperation mechanism aimed at enhancing connectivity. 
In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described Xi’s visit as a “highlight of China-Malaysia friendship” in an interview. With Malaysia set to assume the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, Ibrahim underscored his country’s commitment to free trade and openness, pledging to coordinate communication among ASEAN members to address external pressures. A mutual visa exemption agreement was among the key outcomes, expected to boost tourism and business exchanges between the two nations.
In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Manet praised China’s leadership in providing stability amid global turbulence. “China has played a leading role and provided valuable stability to the world” said Hun Manet during discussions with Xi. A notable agreement was signed on the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project, a critical initiative for Cambodian livelihoods, alongside commitments to deepen security and defense cooperation through joint dialogue mechanisms.
Economic Cooperation as a Bulwark Against Uncertainty
The economic dimension of Xi’s tour was a central focus, with agreements spanning infrastructure, digital innovation, and green development. Over 100 cooperation documents were signed across the three countries, aligning China’s Belt and Road Initiative with local development strategies. Du Lan, deputy head of the China Institute of International Studies’ Asia-Pacific Studies Department, noted that this deepening economic cooperation would help Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia expand markets, stabilize industrial and supply chains, and build resilience against global economic uncertainty.
“Through the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of respective countries, China will provide its solutions and wisdom in areas such as infrastructure construction, the digital economy, and the green economy” said Du. She added that China’s role would be pivotal in bolstering common development across the region, offering a counterweight to external economic disruptions.
Scientific and technological innovation emerged as a highlight, with agreements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge fields. These initiatives are expected to position the region as a hub for digital transformation, while infrastructure projects like the China-Vietnam railway mechanism promise to enhance physical connectivity. In Cambodia, the Funan Techo project, supported by Chinese expertise, aims to address long-standing water management challenges, directly impacting rural communities.
Xu Liping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Center for Southeast Asian Studies, emphasized that the visits underscored China’s commitment to ASEAN’s central role in regional cooperation. “This will provide more certainty and stability for regional cooperation and even the world economy” said Xu, pointing to China’s rejection of unilateralism and protectionism as a stabilizing force amid global trade tensions.
Security and Defense: Building Trust Through Dialogue
Beyond economics, Xi’s tour cemented China’s security partnerships with the three nations. The establishment of joint foreign and defense dialogue mechanisms with Malaysia and Cambodia, alongside the “3+3” framework with Vietnam, reflects a broader strategy to enhance trust and coordination on regional stability. These mechanisms are seen as critical in addressing shared challenges, from maritime disputes to transnational crime, in a region often caught between competing global powers.
Wang Yi highlighted security and defense as key pillars of China’s cooperation with ASEAN countries, alongside mutually beneficial economic ties. While specifics of these dialogues remain under wraps, analysts suggest they could pave the way for joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated responses to regional crises. For Vietnam, with its complex history with China, the ministerial-level dialogue mechanism marks a significant step toward structured engagement on sensitive issues.
A Counterpoint to Global Tensions
Xi’s Southeast Asia tour unfolded against the backdrop of escalating global tensions, particularly the United States’ tariff war, which has disrupted international trade flows. Chinese officials and regional experts framed the visit as a deliberate counterpoint to such unilateral actions, with Beijing positioning itself as a reliable partner committed to free trade and multilateralism. This narrative was reinforced by Malaysia’s advocacy for openness as the incoming ASEAN chair and Cambodia’s recognition of China’s stabilizing influence.
The timing of the tour, shortly after Beijing’s conference on neighboring diplomacy, also sent a message about China’s long-term vision for the region. By elevating its community-building efforts with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to “new heights,” as described by Chinese state media, Xi signaled that Southeast Asia remains a cornerstone of Beijing’s foreign policy. This approach contrasts sharply with the protectionist policies emanating from other global powers, offering ASEAN countries an alternative model of cooperation based on shared development goals.
Regional Reactions and Broader Implications
Public and official reactions to Xi’s visit have been overwhelmingly positive, though some regional analysts caution against over-reliance on Chinese investment and influence. In Vietnam, where historical tensions with China persist, the railway cooperation mechanism and people-to-people initiatives were welcomed as steps toward practical collaboration. However, local commentators on social media platforms noted the need for transparency in large-scale projects to ensure they benefit Vietnamese communities directly.
In Malaysia, the visa exemption agreement was met with enthusiasm by tourism and business sectors, with expectations of increased Chinese visitor numbers in 2025. Cambodian officials, meanwhile, highlighted the Funan Techo project as a tangible outcome of Xi’s visit, addressing critical infrastructure gaps that have long hindered rural development. Across all three nations, the emphasis on rejecting unilateralism resonated strongly, reflecting a shared desire for a multipolar world order.
Looking beyond immediate outcomes, Xi’s tour has broader implications for ASEAN’s role in global affairs. With Malaysia set to lead the bloc in 2025, the agreements signed during this visit could shape regional priorities, particularly in advocating for free trade and resisting external pressures. China’s support for ASEAN centrality, as reiterated by Xu Liping, may also encourage other member states to deepen ties with Beijing, potentially reshaping power dynamics in Southeast Asia.
A Vision for a Shared Future
As Xi Jinping returned to Beijing, the message from his Southeast Asia tour was clear: China seeks to build a “common home” with its neighbors through comprehensive cooperation. From economic partnerships to security dialogues, the agreements forged during this visit lay the groundwork for a more interconnected and resilient region. Yet, as global uncertainties persist, the success of these initiatives will depend on sustained commitment and mutual trust between China and its ASEAN partners.
For now, the tour has reinforced Beijing’s image as a dependable ally in a fractured world. As regional countries navigate the challenges of economic volatility and geopolitical rivalries, the partnerships strengthened during Xi’s visit offer a glimpse of what collective action might achieve. Whether this momentum translates into lasting stability remains an open question, one that Southeast Asia and the world will watch closely in the months ahead.
