XI’s visit to Malaysia is part of a regional diplomatic charm tour that stabbed US tariffs.
Chinese national president Xi Jinping met Sultan Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur as part of a regional push to strengthen Beijing’s trade relations.
Wednesday’s diplomatic halt comes amid a keen tariff imposed by the US, marking the second round of XI’s three-country tour, including Vietnam and Cambodia, and reshaping the global economy.
Sultan Ibrahim welcomed XI at a colorful ceremony at the Golden Istana Negara Palace before meeting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.
After the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year, Xi touted the “new golden age” of relations between China and Malaysia. The Wang announced new cooperation between countries in various fields, including artificial intelligence.
“This is a very important visit,” said Rob McBride of Al Jazeera, who reports from Putrajaya. “This will take place during this unprecedented trade war that is developing with the United States, realizing that both Malaysia and China are in the middle.”
Khoo Ying Hooi, an associate professor at the Graduate School of International Strategy at the University of Malaya, said the visit provided the opportunity to “test the water for regional solidarity” amid the US trade turmoil.
“It’s not just about friendship, but about re-adjusting the region’s center of gravity towards Beijing,” she said.
“Walking Call”
Malaysia is the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) bloc, whose members have been hit hardest by new US tariffs.
Vietnam, a manufacturing powerhouse, ASEAN members, was slapped at 46% tariffs, while Cambodia is a producer of low-cost clothing from the major western brands, suffering a 49% obligation.
Malaysia, the third largest economy in Southeast Asia, suffered a low tariff of 24%. The measure has been suspended for 90 days, but President Donald Trump warns that he is “off the hook.”
McBride said that Malaysia, a longtime US ally, was “really wary of finding itself on this mutual tariff list,” and saw it as “a wake-up call to deepen our relationship with our biggest trading partner…”
Despite solid economic ties, the two countries are struggling with the South China Sea, claiming that Beijing will clean up the sovereignty of Kuala Lumpur claims.
“There was an extraordinary oceanic change here. In a few months, many norms of international trade were completely overthrown,” McBride said.
In general, he added that countries that are usually consistent with the US economic model are increasingly turning to Beijing as reliable trading partners.
XI’s next trip is a trip to Cambodia, one of Southeast Asia’s most solid allies and has been expanding its influence in recent years by Beijing. On Thursday, he is expected to meet Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, the Prime Minister and the Senate.