KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday evening arrived in Malaysia for a three-day visit, seeking to strengthen economic and strategic ties as the United States threatens its allies in the region with tariffs into its giant market.
The visit marks Xi’s second official trip to Malaysia in 12 years, after his last visit in 2013.
His Air China flight landed at the Bunga Raya Complex of Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6:30pm, where he was received by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Xi was accorded a guard of honour by the Malaysian Armed Forces.
In a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Xi said he would hold in-depth discussions with Anwar and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar on bilateral ties and regional developments.
“Both China and Malaysia are major developing countries and members of the Global South,” Xi said.
“Deepening our high-level strategic cooperation is good for the common interests of both China and Malaysia, and good for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.”
Xi’s visit comes at a crucial time, as Southeast Asian economies scramble to diversify trade partnerships amid tariff hikes announced by US President Donald Trump, who has targeted long-time trading allies and unsettled global markets.
Petang tadi saya telah menyambut tamu kenegaraan Presiden Republik Rakyat China TYT Xi Jinping yang kini dalam rangka lawatan rasmi tiga hari ke Malaysia.
Malaysia berbesar hati tatkala negara bertuah ini terpilih untuk dikunjungi Presiden Xi, terutamanya dalam usaha memperkuat… pic.twitter.com/VCidr8gUyQ
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) April 15, 2025
During the visit, Xi is expected to discuss a potential free trade agreement between China and the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Malaysia is the current chair.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told China’s state broadcaster CGTN that the proposed agreement would significantly reduce tariffs between China and the bloc.
“We will bring more tariffs down to zero in many cases, and then expand to all the areas,” he said.
Malaysia is likely to push for greater access to China’s market for its key exports, including electronics, palm oil, and halal products.
China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and one of the top sources of foreign direct investment.
The country is also host to several China-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, most notably the $11.2 billion East Coast Rail Link.
On Wednesday, Xi is scheduled to hold an audience with King Sultan Ibrahim, followed by high-level talks with Prime Minister Anwar.
A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during these meetings.
Xi’s visit to Malaysia is part of a broader tour of Southeast Asia that also includes Vietnam and Cambodia.
In Hanoi on Monday, Xi met with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam.
During the visit, the two sides signed multiple cooperation agreements, including memorandums on supply chain collaboration and a joint railway project.
Xi also pledged increased access for Vietnamese agricultural products to the Chinese market.
“Both China and Vietnam should strengthen strategic resolve, jointly oppose unilateral bullying acts, uphold the global free trade system, and keep global industrial and supply chains stable,” Xi said, according to a statement by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Xi will conclude his Southeast Asia tour with a stop in Cambodia later this week.
