BANGKOK — Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Malaysia's leader Wednesday that China will be a collaborative partner and stand with its Southeast Asian neighbors in the wake of global economic shocks.
''In the face of shocks to global order and economic globalization, China and Malaysia will stand with countries in the region to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical ... confrontation, as well as the counter-currents of unilateralism and protectionism,'' Xi, who was on a state visit to Malaysia as part of his Southeast Asia tour, said in remarks at a dinner with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
''Together we will safeguard the bright prospects of our Asian family," he added.
Xi is visiting Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia this week, days after U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff announcements disrupted the global economy, and he has used the trip to promote Beijing as a source of stability in the region. Although the trip was likely planned before the tariffs uncertainty, it was a chance for Beijing to shore up its own relationships in the region and look for ways to mitigate the 145% tariffs that Trump has kept on China, even as he paused tariffs for other countries.
Malaysia's leader was effusive in his welcome of Xi and praised China as a leader, while issuing thinly veiled criticism against the U.S.
''What we are witnessing today is not an honest reckoning with the imperfections of globalization, but a retreat into economic tribalism. Market access is being weaponized," Ibrahim said. "In these trying times, the world yearns for steadiness, reliability and a common purpose. We see this in China's conduct.''
Xi has promised Malaysia and Vietnam greater access to Chinese markets on his visits, although few details were shared. He said in his meeting with Ibrahim he hoped to sign a free trade agreement between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nation ''as early as possible'' and counter the U.S. decision to decouple the two economies, according to a readout from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
He also mentioned further developing cooperation in green tech and artificial intelligence in his meeting with Malaysia's king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, on Wednesday, according to the official Xinhua News.
