Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Vietnam on Monday, beginning a Southeast Asia tour that includes visits to Malaysia and Cambodia. The trip marks Xi’s first overseas journey of the year, with Beijing looking to bolster regional trade relationships in response to the significant tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, Xi was welcomed by a crowd waving Chinese flags. In his statement, Xi emphasized the importance of this visit, noting that he looked forward to engaging in “in-depth exchanges” with Vietnamese leaders on matters impacting both nations and global relations.
Xi also reiterated his stance on protectionism, stating that a “trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.” This message came in an article published in Vietnam’s official Nhan Dan newspaper. Beijing is positioning itself as a stable alternative to the erratic trade policies of President Trump, who recently enacted, then largely reversed, sweeping tariffs that disrupted global markets.
Xi’s visit comes at a time when China is seeking to strengthen ties with Vietnam, its largest Southeast Asian trading partner. Last year, Vietnam imported goods worth $161.9 billion from China, followed by Malaysia with $101.5 billion in Chinese imports.
Vietnam’s President To Lam expressed readiness for deeper cooperation with China, aiming to create a more balanced and sustainable partnership. The two nations are expected to sign nearly 40 cooperation agreements during Xi’s visit.
Vietnam, known for its “bamboo diplomacy,” strives to maintain good relations with both China and the US. Although the countries share significant economic ties, Vietnam has expressed concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea. Xi suggested that such territorial disputes could be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.
After Vietnam, Xi will travel to Malaysia, followed by Cambodia later in the week, continuing his efforts to strengthen China’s relationships in Southeast Asia.
