Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asian tour: Strategic ‘charm offensive’ amid US tariff war but pitfalls ahead

SENDING A SIGNAL THROUGH ASEAN

Xi’s selection of the three Southeast Asian countries – Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia – reflects a mutual alignment of interests, analysts say.

Cambodia has long been one of China’s staunchest allies in the region. Both countries have maintained a strong alliance for decades, strengthened by lucrative infrastructure investment deals and military support. 

Xi has not visited Cambodia since 2016 and his upcoming trip will be his first since Hun Manet assumed office, observers say, adding that the visit in April will aim to strengthen ties with the country’s new leadership.
 
Relations between Vietnam and China have grown increasingly strained over overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, which has served as a catalyst for US-Vietnam ties.

But with the recent imposition of high tariffs, Beijing could now see a strong opportunity to draw Vietnam closer, Lim says. 

“As a manufacturing hub, Vietnam views trade as crucial to its survival. Its leadership is expected to continue with its ‘bamboo diplomacy’ approach to foreign relations (with China),” Lim said, adding that Hanoi is likely to “engage in a delicate balancing act between Beijing and Washington to safeguard its own interests”. 

Xi is expected to make a strong impression during his trip to Malaysia on Apr 15, said former diplomat Karuppannan, who now runs “Diplomatify”, a YouTube channel where he discusses regional and global affairs.

Malaysia currently serves as ASEAN’s chair, a position that “confers a certain amount of power and influence in terms of agenda setting, convening of meetings and the drafting of joint statements”, said Karuppannan. 

“This is where China finds Malaysia to be important, in the regard of finding the political support that China wants,” he added. He also highlighted Malaysia’s strong economic ties with China, benefiting from ongoing Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, such as railways.