Deals, Diplomacy and Dim Sum: Xi Targets ASEAN
A recurring phrase during Xi’s visit to Southeast Asia was “Asian Family”. In response to the United States imposing trade barriers on countries in the region, China is seeking to build new partnerships “with silk ribbons and smiles”.Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia rely heavily on exports to the US. According to official data, Vietnam’s exports to the US reached $136.6 billion, making up 34% of its total exports and 30% of GDP. Malaysia’s exports to the US totalled $52.2 billion in 2024, accounting for 16% of total exports and 12% of GDP. Cambodia exported $9.9 billion to the US in the same period, representing 38% of its total exports.
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During his diplomatic tour from 14 to 18 April, Xi visited all three countries. In Vietnam, he “denounced trade wars and championed multilateralism,” resulting in 45 cooperation agreements across areas such as infrastructure, digital trade, and cross-border development. In Malaysia, Xi proposed a “three-point plan for a strategic China-Malaysia community”, with 31 agreements signed on trade, technology, and support for China’s global initiatives. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described Xi as an “extraordinary leader” and said the Belt and Road Initiative represented a “new lease on hope.” In Cambodia, where Beijing has long maintained strong ties, Xi signed 37 agreements covering investment, education, and a major funding pledge for the Funan Techo Canal.
Throughout the tour, Xi sought to present China as the region’s preferred partner, pushing back against Western-led “decoupling” by promoting economic integration, regional solidarity, and resistance to foreign interference.
Charm Beyond the Great Wall: Xi Reaches Out to Europe
Relations between China and Europe have seen tensions in recent years, particularly over human rights. However, amid growing divisions between the EU and the United States, Xi is making a renewed effort to engage with European leaders. “In international relations, there are no permanent friends or enemies—only permanent interests,” according to some in Beijing.
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During a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Xi said, “China and the EU must fulfil their international responsibilities, jointly safeguard the trend of economic globalisation and a fair international trade environment, and jointly resist unilateral and intimidating practices.” Spain has benefited from Chinese investment in electric vehicles, battery technology, and solar power.
China’s top diplomat recently spoke by phone with the foreign ministers of Austria and the United Kingdom, accusing President Trump of “weaponising tariffs” and urging European countries to join China in defending the multilateral trading system.
While Chinese diplomats engaged with leaders across Europe, Premier Li Qiang spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and expressed a willingness “to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations”. According to the Global TimesLi also said, “Protectionism leads nowhere, and only openness and cooperation represent the right path for mankind.”
Earlier this month, Scottish Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited China to deepen economic relations. He “emphasised on the necessity for Scottish companies to explore new markets amidst volatile global environment”. Meanwhile, senior Chinese officials met with the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho.
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A number of high-level visits to China from European leaders have taken place in recent weeks, including Italy’s Senate President Ignazio La Russa, Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, France’s Jean-Noël Barrot, and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
Recognising the complexities in China-EU relations, Beijing has appointed Lu Shaye, known as a “wolf-warrior” diplomat, as special representative for Europe. Xi understands that the long-standing differences between the EU and China could be hurdles for the country’s diplomatic reach and therefore he “put his best man to work,” according to the Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).
“In the hands of a man with direct access to Xi, and enjoying the leader’s confidence, the envoy in effect outranks every other Chinese diplomat from the Atlantic to the Urals,” the report adds, “Moreover, Lu will be based in Beijing, where he will be close to the circle of courtiers around Xi, who is now routinely referred to as ‘the Core’ of the nation.”
Beijing’s Neighbourhood Watch
China has also extended its diplomatic efforts to neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh and India.
During a four-day visit to China, Bangladesh’s interim government head Professor Muhammad Yunus made efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing. In a bid to promote regional cooperation, he said, “Northeast India is landlocked, therefore Dhaka is the only guardian of the ocean for all this region.”
Earlier this month, Xi told Indian President Droupadi Murmu that both countries should deepen their partnership through a “Dragon-Elephant tango.” In an interview with The Times of IndiaChinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said China is ready to “welcome more premium Indian goods” and will work to “facilitate Indian businesses’ access to the country’s massive consumer market.”
China has also announced that it has issued 85,000 visas to Indian citizens and launched a campaign titled “Welcome Indian Friends.”
As the global trade conflict escalates, Trump and Xi are deploying different strategies. While the United States builds tariff walls, China lays out tea and treaties.
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