Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday for a closely watched state visit to Malaysia, part of his broader Southeast Asia tour aimed at strengthening regional alliances amid intensifying trade tensions with the United States.
Xi was welcomed at the airport by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to footage aired by Chinese state broadcaster CGTN. His trip follows visits to Vietnam and precedes a stop in Cambodia, as China seeks to position itself as a more stable partner in contrast to the U.S.’s protectionist policies under President Donald Trump.
Speaking to Chinese media, Xi expressed his desire to “further deepen the traditional friendship” between China and Malaysia and said he would engage in “in-depth exchanges” with Prime Minister Anwar and King Sultan Ibrahim.
“With joint efforts, this visit will surely yield fruitful results,” Xi stated, according to Chinese broadcaster CCTV.
On Wednesday, Xi is scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by the Malaysian monarch before holding formal talks with Anwar in Putrajaya. The two leaders will also witness the signing of multiple bilateral agreements, the Malaysian foreign ministry confirmed.
In a guest article for The Star newspaper, Xi emphasized the importance of resisting geopolitical rivalries and unilateralism, calling for cooperation under a United Nations-centered global order and advocating for fairer global governance.
“China will work with Malaysia to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical confrontation and promote a more equitable international system,” Xi wrote.
This visit comes on the heels of Xi’s trip to Vietnam, where both nations pledged to jointly oppose “hegemony and power politics” and uphold a multilateral trade regime centered around the World Trade Organization. Although the joint statement didn’t explicitly name the United States, it was widely seen as a response to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war.
The standoff has seen both nations impose steep tariffs on each other’s goods, with U.S. duties reaching up to 145% and China responding with tariffs as high as 125%.
Despite some regional friction—particularly over overlapping claims in the South China Sea—China and Malaysia maintain strong economic ties. Last year, China remained Malaysia’s top trading partner for the 16th consecutive year, accounting for 16.8% of the country’s total trade, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry.
This year marks the continuation of celebrations from the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscoring their enduring partnership amid shifting global dynamics.
