Xi Jinping visits Malaysia to deepen ties amid US trade tensions

Xi's state visit to Malaysia aims to strengthen bilateral relations as China counters US tariffs.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim watch a cultural performance upon Xi’s arrival for a three-day state visit at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, on April 15, 2025. Photo by Farhan Abdullah/Reuters

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Malaysia this week, marking a key moment in Beijing’s diplomatic outreach across Southeast Asia as it grapples with rising tensions from a deepening trade war with the United States. Xi’s trip is part of a broader regional tour that includes Vietnam and Cambodia, and is seen as an effort to reinforce China’s role as a stabilizing partner in contrast to President Donald Trump’s increasingly combative trade agenda.

Xi welcomed by Anwar as bilateral focus intensifies

Xi Jinping arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and was warmly greeted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Chinese state broadcaster CGTN aired images of their meeting at the airport, highlighting the formality and optimism accompanying the visit.

Speaking to Chinese media, Xi said he looked forward to “further deepening the traditional friendship” between China and Malaysia. He is expected to engage in a state banquet with King Sultan Ibrahim and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anwar in Putrajaya on Wednesday.

“China will work with Malaysia to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical and camp-based confrontation,” Xi said in an article published in The Star, a leading Malaysian daily. He added that the two nations must resist the global rise of unilateralism and protectionism and instead support the United Nations-centered world order and push for more equitable global governance.

50 years of diplomacy and growing trade links

Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia coincides with the continued celebration of five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China has been Malaysia’s top trading partner for the past 16 years. In 2023, trade between the nations made up 16.8 percent of Malaysia’s total global trade, according to data from the Malaysian foreign ministry.

During the upcoming talks in Putrajaya, Xi and Anwar are expected to sign multiple bilateral agreements, though the Malaysian side has not yet disclosed the specifics. Officials indicate the deals will cover areas such as infrastructure, trade, technology, and cultural exchange.

The state banquet with Sultan Ibrahim and the formal discussions with Anwar are being closely watched by political analysts and economic stakeholders who see the visit as a strategic pivot in Malaysia’s foreign policy balancing act between the U.S. and China.

A broader Southeast Asia strategy in motion

Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour began earlier this week in Vietnam, where he met with top Vietnamese leaders including President To Lam. Both sides issued a joint statement vowing to oppose all forms of hegemony and unilateralism—a message many observers interpreted as a veiled criticism of U.S. foreign policy under Trump.

“Vietnam and China agreed to maintain an open, inclusive, and non-discriminatory multilateral trade regime,” read the statement, which referenced the World Trade Organization as the backbone of international economic cooperation. The statement did not name the United States directly, but the context made the message clear.

China and Vietnam also signed 45 cooperation agreements spanning key areas like artificial intelligence, railway development, maritime security, and supply chain logistics. Xi stated that the two nations stand “at the turning point of history,” signaling Beijing’s long-term interest in regional partnerships that challenge Western-led institutions.

Escalating trade war sets backdrop for Xi's trip

Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia comes as Beijing is locked in a bitter trade standoff with Washington. The latest round of U.S. tariffs under President Trump has imposed duties of up to 145 percent on Chinese goods, which Beijing has slammed as “a joke.” In response, China levied retaliatory tariffs of 125 percent on select American imports.

The trade war has not only disrupted global supply chains but also heightened political tensions between the two largest economies in the world. By engaging more deeply with Southeast Asian partners, Xi appears intent on building a resilient regional trade network that can withstand external shocks caused by U.S. protectionism.

While Trump has not commented directly on Xi’s Malaysia stop, he mocked Xi’s earlier trip to Vietnam, claiming it was “a lovely meeting designed to figure out how to screw the United States of America.” Despite the combative tone from Washington, many Southeast Asian nations—including Malaysia—have emphasized neutrality and multilateralism as their guiding principles.

Malaysia walks diplomatic tightrope

Malaysia’s approach to balancing relations with China and the United States has been one of careful diplomacy. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has publicly acknowledged the importance of maintaining ties with both global powers while placing national interests at the forefront.

Anwar’s administration has made infrastructure and technological modernization a priority, areas where Chinese investment has traditionally played a large role. At the same time, Malaysia is also part of U.S.-led economic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region and has joined in regional security dialogues that include Western powers.

Xi Jinping’s visit is widely seen as a reaffirmation of China’s willingness to invest diplomatically and economically in Malaysia. It also represents an opportunity for Malaysia to secure more favorable trade terms amid global uncertainty.

What's at stake for China and Malaysia?

The outcomes of Xi’s Malaysia visit will likely shape the next phase of China-Malaysia relations. While the final list of bilateral agreements has not yet been revealed, it is expected to include deals on green energy, port development, and digital economy cooperation.

Xi’s emphasis on “fruitful results” and “joint efforts” underscores his intent to not only deepen bilateral ties but also use the Malaysia stop as a model for broader engagement with the Global South. As China continues to face pressure from U.S. sanctions and tariffs, strong relationships in Southeast Asia offer Beijing an important diplomatic cushion.

For Malaysia, the benefits could include access to investment, infrastructure development, and a more significant voice in regional diplomacy—though the country must tread carefully to avoid alienating key partners in Washington.

In the evolving geopolitical chessboard, Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia is more than a goodwill mission—it is a strategic maneuver to secure allies, push back against Western dominance, and advance China’s global influence through mutually beneficial partnerships.

As the dust settles on this week’s meetings and announcements, all eyes will be on how Malaysia navigates the road ahead, balancing national interests with the competing pulls of East and West.