Xi Jinping's State Visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia Yield Fruitful Results
From April 14 to 18, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited to pay state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. At the end of the trip, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, briefed the accompanying reporters on the visit. Wang Yi stated that President Xi Jinping's visit was the first head-of-state foreign visit this year and a significant diplomatic action taken after the Central Conference on Work Related to China's Neighborhood. Against the backdrop of unilateralism and power politics impacting the world, this visit, with the building of a community with a shared future as its main theme, focused on good-neighborly friendship and promoted mutually beneficial cooperation, achieving complete success. Over five days and four nights, President Xi Jinping attended nearly 30 events, profoundly expounding the concepts and principles of good-neighborliness, peace, prosperity, sincerity, affinity, benevolence, inclusiveness, and a shared future. The visit led to the achievement of over a hundred cooperation results, writing a new chapter in the construction of a community with a shared future for the neighborhood and charting a new blueprint for China and its neighboring countries to jointly promote stability and prosperity. The three visited countries attached great importance to the visit, welcoming President Xi Jinping with the highest protocol and most grand and enthusiastic arrangements. This not only reflected their heartfelt friendship but also sent a clear signal of their high regard for relations with China. Domestic and international public opinion paid close attention and reported extensively, generally believing that the visit was full of highlights and set a new milestone in the history of relations between China and Southeast Asian countries. It highlighted China's sincere desire to work together with neighboring countries in a shared destiny and released a strong signal of China's firm commitment to defending multilateralism and international trade rules, demonstrating China's image as a responsible major country in a turbulent and intertwined international situation. President Xi Jinping, with the responsibility of a major power, voiced justice in safeguarding free trade, opposing unilateral bullying, and building a community with a shared future for mankind, injecting confidence and courage into the unity and cooperation of all countries. China views its neighborhood with a broad perspective and long-term vision, demonstrating a truly grand strategic格局. Globalization has entered its "Asian moment," and the world's center of gravity is shifting to Asia, with China being an important engine. I. Heart-to-Heart Engagement, China-Vietnam Relations Set Sail Again. Wang Yi stated that China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, sharing common ideals and beliefs and broad strategic interests. Sharing common aspirations and a shared future is the most distinctive feature of China-Vietnam relations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam. General Secretary and President Xi Jinping chose Vietnam as the first stop of his foreign visit this year, and Comrade To Lam, after assuming office as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam last year, also chose China for his first foreign visit. The reciprocal visits by the General Secretaries of the two parties within one year fully reflect the strategic and high-level nature of China-Vietnam relations. Vietnam regarded the reception of this visit as its most important diplomatic agenda for the year. General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong jointly hosted a welcoming banquet for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, with all members of the Politburo and Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam attending. President Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh went to the airport to greet and see off President Xi. Tran Cam Tu, Member of the Politburo and Standing Secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied President Xi throughout his activities in Vietnam. Wherever General Secretary Xi Jinping went, the flags of the two parties and two countries intertwined, and people from all walks of life lined the streets to welcome him. The atmosphere was sincere and warm, vividly embodying the deep friendship between Vietnam and China as "comrades and brothers." The strategic guidance of the supreme leaders of the two parties and two countries is the greatest advantage and most important political guarantee for the development of China-Vietnam relations. During the visit, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary To Lam had long and in-depth exchanges of views on overarching, strategic, and directional issues, with two private tea conversations for deep communication. President Xi Jinping also met separately with President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. The leaders of the two parties and two countries unanimously confirmed that, in accordance with the overall goal of "six more," they would promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two sides to a higher quality and deeper level, accelerate the building of a China-Vietnam community with a strategic future, and jointly promote the development and growth of the socialist cause amidst the百年变局 of the world. General Secretary Xi Jinping warmly congratulated Vietnam on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's founding, and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South. He emphasized that China would, as always, support Vietnam in following a socialist path that suits its national conditions, prepare and successfully hold the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and continuously create new prospects for the party and national undertakings. General Secretary To Lam stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping is an outstanding leader of the Chinese people and a great friend of the Vietnamese people, and the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved historic achievements under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping. Developing relations with China is an objective requirement, strategic choice, and top priority for Vietnam, and promoting the continuous development of Vietnam-China relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the trend of the times. Vietnam is determined to firmly advance the building of a strategically significant Vietnam-China community with a shared future, creating a future of common prosperity for the two countries. During the visit, the two sides issued a joint statement and signed 45 cooperation documents, powerfully promoting the upgrading of practical cooperation between the two countries and the accelerated alignment of development strategies. The expansion and upgrading of railway cooperation particularly demonstrate the two countries' determination to seek common development. General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary To Lam jointly attended the launching ceremony of the China-Vietnam railway cooperation mechanism. Relying on this mechanism, the two sides will achieve full connectivity of standard-gauge railways, greatly enhancing cross-border transportation capacity, reducing logistics costs, enabling "seamless connection" of supply chains between the two countries, further opening up the new western land-sea corridor, and giving stronger development momentum to the China-Indochina Peninsula economic corridor, which will become a landmark project for high-quality China-Vietnam Belt and Road cooperation. This year is also the "China-Vietnam People-to-People Exchange Year." General Secretary Xi Jinping and Vietnamese leaders jointly met with representatives of the China-Vietnam People's Grand Gathering, pointing out that the foundation, lifeblood, and strength of China-Vietnam relations lie in the people, and encouraged Chinese and Vietnamese youth to contribute their youthful strength to the socialist cause of both countries and the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Representatives from all walks of life in both countries warmly responded to General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech, with waves of applause lasting for a long time. General Secretary Xi Jinping announced that in the next three years, China would invite Vietnamese youth to China for "red study tours" to consolidate the friendly feelings of the younger generation of the two countries with the common red gene of China and Vietnam, ensuring that the red cause has successors and the red friendship is passed down from generation to generation. Wang Yi stated that as two socialist countries with long-term Communist Party rule and great achievements in the world today, the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future has important international significance. The common journey of over 1.5 billion people in China and Vietnam towards modernization will provide useful lessons for the modernization of a vast number of developing countries and emerging economies. Facing a chaotic world, the peaceful development of China and Vietnam, two socialist countries, brings valuable stability, and China-Vietnam friendly cooperation demonstrates ample dynamism. Standing at a new historical starting point, China and Vietnam will move forward hand in hand along the direction pointed out by the supreme leaders of the two parties and two countries, making new contributions to the world socialist cause and human development and progress. II. Sincere Treatment, China-Malaysia Relations Further Upgraded. Wang Yi stated that China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors separated by sea, and the traditional friendship between China and Malaysia spans millennia, "never separating." Malaysia is the first ASEAN country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and practical cooperation between the two countries has always been at the forefront of the region. Similar philosophies, integrated interests, and people-to-people bonds are vivid portrayals of China-Malaysia relations. This visit was President Xi Jinping's first state visit to Malaysia in 12 years, and Malaysia made careful preparations and extended warm hospitality. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim held a grand welcome ceremony at the National Palace, and Prime Minister Anwar personally went to the airport to greet and see off President Xi. On his personal social media, he expressed his sincere friendship for President Xi Jinping with the Chinese song "My Good Brother." The most important outcome of this visit was that the leaders of the two countries elevated the positioning of China-Malaysia relations to a new height, announcing the building of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future. This is another leap in the positioning of bilateral relations after China and Malaysia announced the joint building of a community with a shared future in 2023. Over the past two years, China-Malaysia cooperation has significantly accelerated. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $210 billion, and personnel exchanges reached nearly 6 million, with effective progress in building a community with a shared future, making the elevation of the relationship a natural progression. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim stated that regardless of changes in the international situation, Malaysia would work hand in hand with China for win-win cooperation, promoting the building of a high-level strategic community with a shared future. Prime Minister Anwar emphasized that Malaysia and China can go steady and far only by working together, and Malaysia will always be China's firm and principled friend. The friendship between Malaysia and China is everlasting, as deep as the ocean, as eternal as the stars, and always vibrant and full of hope. A major highlight of this visit was the agreement between the two sides to jointly create a new highland for regional new quality productive forces cooperation, focusing on cutting-edge fields such as the digital economy, green economy, and artificial intelligence, strengthening the integrated development of industrial chains, supply chains, value chains, data chains, and talent chains, jointly building new technology joint laboratories, setting a benchmark for high-quality development in the region, and assisting their respective modernization processes. The leaders of the two countries agreed to deepen the alignment of development strategies, promote flagship Belt and Road projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and "Two Countries, Two Parks," and transform Malaysia's important ports into important hubs for the "New Land-Sea Corridor." The two sides signed 26 cooperation documents, achieving a record number of fruitful results. Prime Minister Anwar highly appreciated President Xi Jinping's Global Civilization Initiative, believing that this initiative has important practical significance in the current situation, and the world needs mutual learning among civilizations and the elimination of differences. To implement the Global Civilization Initiative, China and Malaysia agreed to launch the "Confucian-Islamic Civilization Dialogue" to promote mutual learning between Confucian and Islamic civilizations and advance human civilization. Malaysia is this year's ASEAN rotating chair and the coordinator for ASEAN-China relations, and the leaders of the two countries had in-depth exchanges on regional cooperation. President Xi Jinping emphasized China's firm support for ASEAN unity and community building, supporting ASEAN's centrality, and expressing willingness to work with regional countries to sign the upgraded protocol of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area as soon as possible. Malaysia highly appreciated China's role in regional cooperation, stating that it would leverage its presidency to promote greater development in ASEAN-China relations and jointly build a future of peace and prosperity. Foreign media generally believed that China-ASEAN cooperation is the most pragmatic and fruitful in regional cooperation, a model of adhering to multilateralism and open cooperation, and an important pillar of sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific. Wang Yi stated that, as Prime Minister Anwar said in his welcoming banquet speech, history is not written in a hurry, and building a true partnership is not an overnight task, requiring accumulation over time, careful nurturing, courage, and vigorous advancement. Last year, China and Malaysia jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and this visit saw the leaders of the two countries forcefully promote the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future towards a high-level strategic direction. China-Malaysia friendly cooperation has entered the fast lane and will be upgraded under the guidance of common goals, ushering in another more brilliant "golden 50 years." III. Enduring Affection, China-Cambodia Relations Further Upgraded. Wang Yi stated that China-Cambodia friendship is a two-way journey spanning thousands of years. Historically, Chinese civilization and Khmer civilization have embraced and learned from each other, shining brightly. Cambodia was the first country to sign an action plan with China for building a community with a shared future. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Cambodian leaders, the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era of high quality, high level, and high standards. President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Cambodia during the traditional Cambodian New Year, and the entire nation of Cambodia eagerly anticipated it. In Phnom Penh, one could feel the reverence for President Xi Jinping and the friendship towards China from the royal family to ordinary people. King Norodom Sihamoni, Chairman Hun Sen, five Deputy Prime Ministers, the First Vice President of the National Assembly, and several royal family members jointly welcomed President Xi Jinping and held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. This was the first time King Sihamoni had gone to the airport to welcome a foreign dignitary in 20 years since his ascension to the throne, and the first time a welcome ceremony was held at the airport, making the protocol arrangements unprecedented. On the way from the airport to the hotel, Phnom Penh was packed with people, tens of thousands of local residents thronged the streets, waving Chinese and Cambodian flags, holding photos of the leaders of the two countries, and warmly welcoming President Xi Jinping. Chairman Hun Sen had a long meeting and discussion with President Xi Jinping, and at the time of departure, he, accompanied by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many, and Deputy Commander Hun Manith, held a farewell banquet for President Xi, and personally went to the airport to bid farewell. The most moving aspect of this visit was the warm interaction between President Xi Jinping and King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. King Sihamoni awarded President Xi Jinping the "Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Independence of Cambodia," stating that President Xi Jinping had made outstanding contributions to promoting the development of Cambodia-China relations and was a great friend of Cambodia. At the welcoming banquet held for President Xi Jinping, the music composed by His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk himself, eulogizing China-Cambodia friendship, continuously played throughout the banquet, and the Royal Palace was filled with the strong friendship between China and Cambodia, as if they were one family. President Xi Jinping recalled the moving stories of the older generation of leaders of the two countries forging and nurturing China-Cambodia friendship, highly praised the special contributions of the Cambodian Royal Family to the cause of China-Cambodia friendship, and stated that China is the second home for the King and Queen Mother, welcoming them to visit China again at any time. King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath stated that President Xi Jinping's visit was a great honor for all Cambodian people and would push relations between the two countries to a new level, making the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China deeper and unbreakable. The highlight of this visit was the joint announcement by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Hun Manet to elevate China-Cambodia relations to a new era of all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future. This is the first time China has elevated bilateral relations with a Southeast Asian country to an all-weather level, and it is also the first new era all-weather community with a shared future built at the bilateral level. The two sides unanimously agreed to build a higher level of political mutual trust, expand higher quality mutually beneficial cooperation, solidify higher-level security guarantees, carry out higher frequency people-to-people exchanges, and implement higher standards of strategic coordination, vigorously promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continuously enrich the China-Cambodia "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework, setting a model for building a community with a shared future for mankind. The construction of the Funan Techo Canal Project is Cambodia's century-old dream, concerning Cambodia's national economy and people's livelihood and long-term development. China fully understands Cambodia's concerns and provides necessary support, demonstrating the firm will of the two countries to be strategic partners for each other. China also formulated two cooperation plans, the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor," according to Cambodia's needs, assisting Cambodia in building a modern industrial production highland and enhancing the technological and industrial level of agriculture. The two sides signed 37 cooperation documents, covering cooperation in production and supply chains, artificial intelligence, development assistance, customs inspection and quarantine, and health, which not only helps Cambodia enhance its independent development capacity but also widely benefits ordinary people. Cambodian leaders stated their gratitude for China's strong support for Cambodia's economic development and the safeguarding of its independence and sovereignty, saying that China is Cambodia's most steadfast supporter and most reliable cooperation partner, and they look forward to deepening cooperation with China in various fields to push the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries to new heights. Cambodian media commented that this visit reflected the high quality of relations between the two countries and effectively refuted the so-called "cooling of Cambodia-China relations" theory. Chinese imprints can be seen everywhere on Cambodia's development path, especially the rapid growth in the past 10 years, which is inseparable from China's strong support. China replaces interference with cooperation and dominance with assistance, winning widespread respect and trust. Wang Yi stated that President Xi Jinping's visit highlighted the close and unbreakable ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia and set a benchmark for cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the two sides will solidly promote the building of a community with a shared future, making China-Cambodia friendship as strong as iron, unity as strong as steel, and cooperation shining like diamonds. IV. Unity and Cooperation, Upholding Fairness and Justice in the World. Wang Yi stated that an important backdrop for this visit was the increasing turbulence and chaos in the international situation. The United States arbitrarily imposed tariffs, disregarded international rules, and engaged in self-serving behavior. Southeast Asian countries bore the brunt, worried about the future of the world economy, and unwilling to see the return of the law of the jungle. At this critical moment, the world craves stability and direction, and neighboring countries expect China to show leadership and provide certainty. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the ocean of economic globalization has benefited all countries, and no country can retreat to an isolated island. A small boat with a single sail cannot withstand the stormy waves, but only by pulling together in the same boat can it go steady and far. Engaging in trade wars damages the international trade system, impacts global economic stability, and harms the legitimate interests of all countries, especially the vast number of developing countries. As important forces of the Global South, China and its neighboring countries should strengthen coordination and cooperation, jointly resist the undercurrent of bloc confrontation, jointly oppose unilateralism, and respond to the law of the jungle with the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness, safeguarding the bright development prospects of the Asian homeland. President Xi Jinping emphasized that in the face of rising protectionism, the Chinese economy has risen to the challenge and will continue to be an important engine of the world economy. China will promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening up, and share development opportunities with all countries, especially neighboring countries. China's super-large market is always open to neighboring countries, welcoming more high-quality products from ASEAN countries for export to China. China's door to opening up will only open wider. Wang Yi stated, "No matter how the wind blows, the clouds fly, we remain calm." In the face of unilateral bullying, China's choice and responsibility are not only to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests but also to safeguard the common interests of the international community, including the vast number of small and medium-sized countries, and even more so to defend international fairness and justice. Wang Yi introduced that President Xi Jinping's profound statements resonated strongly, boosting confidence and morale for all parties. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping's visit had strengthened Vietnam's confidence in overcoming risks and challenges and advancing the socialist cause, and expressed willingness to strengthen coordination with China to maintain international trade rules and abide by agreements signed by both sides. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar stated that the true strength of China is its resilience in calmly responding to various disturbances. China is a rational, strong, and reliable partner, and China brings not only stability but also the hope for a lasting future. ASEAN does not approve of any unilateral imposition of tariffs and will unite and strengthen itself to maintain economic growth. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that in a situation where unilateralism causes turmoil in the world and the multilateral trade system is impacted, China has played a leading role. Cambodia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to safeguard the common interests of both sides. International public opinion commented that China, advocating free trade and emphasizing mutual respect, has highly stable foreign policies and its cooperation with all parties is based on reciprocity and friendship rather than transactional logic, making it a strong support and reliable partner for economic growth in Southeast Asia. China's image as a promoter of free trade, a defender of the interests of developing countries, and a leader in regional cooperation has become more deeply rooted in people's hearts. At the current turbulent time globally, China has shown the world through its actions that China is a partner that can be relied upon to create prosperity together. In the contest for world leadership, China has become an undeniable positive force. V. Sincerity, Affinity, Benevolence, and Inclusiveness: A New Chapter for a Community with a Shared Future in the Neighborhood. Wang Yi stated that how a major power gets along with its neighborhood is an important proposition in international relations, reflecting the major power's worldview, order view, and values. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping has proposed the neighborhood diplomacy concept of sincerity, affinity, benevolence, and inclusiveness, adhering to sincere treatment, mutual benefit, openness, and inclusiveness, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future in the neighborhood. China actively carries out all-round cooperation with neighboring countries, strengthens exchanges in various fields, and jointly maintains peace and stability, forging a bright path of good-neighborliness, friendship, and win-win cooperation. President Xi Jinping has personally visited 27 neighboring countries, and his first foreign visits after the 18th, 19th, and 20th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China were all to neighboring countries. Under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, respecting each other's development paths, supporting each other's core interests, and providing strategic support to each other have increasingly become distinctive features of China's relations with neighboring countries. During this trip, President Xi Jinping explicitly supported the three countries in adhering to strategic independence, following development paths that suit their national conditions, and playing a more important role in international and regional arenas. The leaders of the three countries highly praised the major concepts and initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and China and Malaysia signed cooperation documents to implement the three global initiatives. The three sides reaffirmed their firm adherence to the one-China policy, supported China in achieving its great cause of reunification, firmly opposed any "Taiwan independence" separatist acts, and opposed all external forces interfering in China's internal affairs. Strategic mutual trust between China and its neighboring countries has been further enhanced. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that the fruits of China's development should benefit the neighborhood more, so that everyone can live a better life together. China has signed cooperation agreements on jointly building the Belt and Road with 25 neighboring countries and is the largest trading partner for 18 countries. The alignment of development strategies, the upgrading of connectivity, and the reciprocity of trade and investment have continuously deepened the integrated development of China and its neighboring countries. During this visit, the construction of the China-Vietnam Red River Border Highway Bridge began, Vietnam introduced COMAC C909 passenger aircraft, Malaysian telecommunications operators signed 5G construction cooperation agreements with Chinese companies, and China and Cambodia signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in production and supply chains. Mutually beneficial cooperation between China and its neighboring countries continues to expand, forming a closer symbiotic and coordinated development pattern. The Asian security concept advocated by China, which emphasizes sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation, is increasingly becoming a consensus among regional countries. During this visit, China and Vietnam upgraded their "3+3" strategic dialogue mechanism for diplomacy, defense, and public security to a ministerial level, while China and Malaysia, and China and Cambodia, respectively, established "2+2" dialogue mechanisms for diplomacy and defense, and "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanisms for foreign and defense ministers. China and Cambodia will rely on the newly completed Ream Port Joint Support and Training Center to promote the upgrading of the "Golden Dragon" joint exercise and training, enhancing their ability to maintain regional peace and tranquility. China and Vietnam, and China and Malaysia, unanimously agreed to properly handle maritime issues, oppose external interference, and work together to maintain regional peace and stability. China has the will, confidence, and ability to work with neighboring countries to safeguard our common home. Wang Yi finally stated that the Central Conference on Work Related to China's Neighborhood pointed out that it is necessary to hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, with the common vision of building a peaceful, secure, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly "five homes," and with the concepts and principles of good-neighborliness, peace, prosperity, sincerity, affinity, benevolence, inclusiveness, and a shared future, to work hand in hand with neighboring countries to create a better future. President Xi Jinping's visit to the neighborhood this time, viewing the neighborhood from a global perspective and radiating globally through neighborhood diplomacy, vividly interpreted the spirit and essence of the neighborhood work conference. It is an innovative development of China's neighborhood diplomacy policy and a successful practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, having profound and far-reaching significance for deepening good-neighborly friendship and cooperation and promoting the building of a community with a shared future in the neighborhood. Righteousness and harmony bring benefits, and broad virtue makes good neighbors. We will continue to be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, grasp the general trend, shoulder great responsibilities, and promote great harmony, continuously creating a new situation for major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and fostering a more favorable international environment for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.