Chinese Leader Xi Jinping Warns Against Protectionism and Trade War
Xi’s Tour of Southeast Asia
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has warned that protectionism "leads nowhere" and that a trade war would have "no winners", state media said, as he was due to kick off a tour of Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam.
Regional Trade Ties
Xi’s first overseas trip of the year will see him visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia as Beijing seeks to tighten regional trade ties and offset the impact of huge tariffs unleashed by his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Meeting with Southeast Asian Counterparts
He will meet his three Southeast Asian counterparts on a tour that "bears major importance" for the broader region, Beijing has said.
Writing in Nhan Dan Newspaper
Writing in an article published Monday in Vietnam’s major Nhan Dan newspaper, Xi urged the two countries to "resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment," Beijing’s Xinhua News Agency said.
Reiterating Beijing’s Line
He also reiterated Beijing’s line that a "trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere", the agency added.
Presenting a Stable Alternative
Beijing is trying to present itself as a stable alternative to an erratic Trump, who announced — and then mostly reversed — sweeping tariffs this month that sent global markets into a tailspin.
Bamboo Diplomacy
Vietnam was Southeast Asia’s biggest buyer of Chinese goods, with a bill of $161.9 billion, followed by Malaysia, which imported $101.5 billion worth in 2024. And firming up ties with Southeast Asian neighbours could also help offset the impact from a closed United States, the largest single recipient of Chinese goods last year.
Visit to Vietnam
Xi will be in Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday, his first trip there since December 2023.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Vietnam and China, both ruled by communist parties, already share a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Hanoi’s highest diplomatic status.
Bamboo Diplomacy Approach
Vietnam has long pursued a "bamboo diplomacy" approach — striving to stay on good terms with both China and the United States.
Disputes in the South China Sea
The two countries have close economic ties, but Hanoi shares US concerns about Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea.
China’s Claims
China claims almost all of the South China Sea as its own, but this is disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Resolving Disputes through Dialogue
The Chinese leader in his Monday article insisted Beijing and Hanoi could resolve those disputes through dialogue.
Tour Schedule
After Vietnam, Xi will visit Malaysia from Tuesday to Thursday. Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Xi’s visit was "part of the government’s efforts… to see better trade relations with various countries including China".
Visit to Cambodia
Xi will then travel on Thursday to Cambodia, one of China’s staunchest allies in Southeast Asia and where Beijing has extended its influence in recent years.
Conclusion
Xi’s tour of Southeast Asia aims to strengthen regional trade ties and present Beijing as a stable alternative to the United States. While China and Vietnam have close economic ties, they also have disputes in the South China Sea that need to be resolved through dialogue.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of Xi’s tour of Southeast Asia?
A: The purpose is to strengthen regional trade ties and present Beijing as a stable alternative to the United States.
Q: What is the current trade relationship between China and Vietnam?
A: Vietnam was Southeast Asia’s biggest buyer of Chinese goods, with a bill of $161.9 billion, followed by Malaysia, which imported $101.5 billion worth in 2024.
Q: How will Xi’s visit to Vietnam impact the region?
A: Xi’s visit aims to firm up ties with Southeast Asian neighbours and offset the impact from a closed United States, the largest single recipient of Chinese goods last year.