Deepening Ties in a Turbulent World

Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Kuala Lumpur today, marking the second stop of his Southeast asian tour. This visit occurs against a backdrop of ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, potentially reshaping the global economic landscape [[2]].

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim greeted President Xi at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport amidst tight security. Xi Jinping conveyed his aspirations for the visit, stating:

On this visit I hope to further deepen our traditional friendship, strengthen mutual political trust, promote cooperation in modernization and develop the China-Malesia community with a shared future.
Xi Jinping, Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur

this marks President Xi’s second official visit to Malaysia as assuming office in 2013. It follows Prime Minister Anwar’s visit to Beijing in November 2024. Anwar Ibrahim expressed Malaysia’s honor in hosting President Xi,emphasizing the aim to solidify bilateral relations.

Commitment to Multilateralism and Open Trade

Prior to his arrival, President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of equitable and multilateral global governance in an editorial published across several major Malaysian newspapers. He advocated for a system rooted in international law and the central role of the United Nations. Furthermore, Xi emphasized the need to maintain open and stable global supply chains and to foster a multilateral trading system.

This visit follows the US governance’s recent decision to postpone the implementation of new tariffs after previously increasing duties on imports from China significantly. In response, Beijing had also increased tariffs on US goods. Before this temporary suspension, Southeast Asian economies faced significant tariffs from the United States, including Cambodia (49%), Vietnam (46%), and Malaysia (24%).

Regional Implications and Future Engagements

Coming from Vietnam,where he subtly criticized unilateral impositions by the US administration,Xi’s tour will conclude in Cambodia. This tour is viewed as an effort by Beijing to reinforce its image as a reliable and responsible global actor. Today, the global economy is more interconnected than ever. For example, the Regional Complete Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agreement, includes both China and several Southeast Asian nations, highlighting the region’s growing economic importance.

Looking ahead, President Xi is scheduled to meet with the King of Malaysia, Ibrahim Iskandar, at the Istana Negara Royal Palace on April 16th. Later that day, he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Anwar at the Seri Perdana complex in Putrajaya. The two leaders are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding and bilateral agreements, further solidifying the strategic partnership between China and Malaysia [[3]].