By: Zhang Yanqiu & Meng Lanjuan
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from April 14 to 18 is a of great significance for promoting the overall development of China’s relations with these countries, and ASEAN as a whole. Through this visit, China has successfully enhanced strategic trust, expanded co-operations and strengthened cultural ties with these neighboring countries. In the context of US trade protectionism and de-globalization policy, which have brought great uncertainty to the world economy and international situation, deepening cooperation and cementing solidarity between China and Global South countries will inject strong impetus into peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations. China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors. From their early revolutionary struggles to current modernization efforts, the two countries have forged a profound bond featuring “camaraderie plus brotherhood”. The economic and trade ties between China and Vietnam are close, and the trade volume between the two sides reached a record high of $260.65 billion in 2024. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Vietnam’s Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy are increasingly aligned.
In his talks with with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward six measures to deepen the building of China-Viet Nam community with a shared future. The two countries issued a Joint statement on continuing to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and accelerating the building of a China-Vietnam community with a Shared future that carries strategic significance. They also signed 45 bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as connectivity, artificial intelligence, customs inspection and quarantine, agricultural trade, culture and sports, livelihood, human resources development and media. Xi emphasized that the two countries will pursue peaceful development and work together towards modernization. This will help safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and promote common development.
China-Malaysia ties run deep. From the voyages of the famous Chinese navigator Zheng He (1371-1433) to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974, the two countries have long enjoyed cultural affinity and strategic mutual trust. Relations between the two countries have been elevated to the status of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future in 2023. Malaysia was one of the first countries to respond to and actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. China supports Malaysia’s “Malaysia Madani” vision, and the strategic alignment between the two countries is continuously strengthening.
The two sides issued the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future. More than 30 bilateral cooperation documents were exchanged, covering cooperation on three major global initiatives, Confucian-Islamic civilizational dialogue, digital economy, trade in services, upgrading the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” program, joint laboratories, AI, railways, intellectual property, export of agricultural products to China, mutual visa exemption and panda conservation, among other areas. As the rotating chair of ASEAN and the country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations next year, Malaysia is ready to play an active role in advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and China.
Cambodia is a traditional friendly neighbor and “ironclad” friend of China. In 2019, China and Cambodia took the lead in signing an action plan for building a community with a shared future. Over the years, as strategic mutual trust between the two countries deepened, the cooperation framework of the “Diamond Hexagon” has been constantly enriched, and the construction of the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor” has been steadily advanced. Cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
During the visit, China and Cambodia have agreed to work together to build a all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in new era. The two countries released a joint statement emphasizing the implementation of three global initiatives to further deepen China-Cambodia cooperation. More than 30 cooperation documents have been exchanged, covering areas such as supply chains cooperation, artificial intelligence, development assistance, customs inspection and quarantine, health and news. China and Cambodia also exchanged views on strengthening coordination in international affairs, countering unilateralism and bullying behavior, and practicing multilateralism.
This visit has multiple significant implications for Global South countries. In terms of enhancing political mutual trust, China’s friendly interactions with the three Southeast Asian countries are exemplary of its engagement with other developing countries. China adheres to the concept of friendly, sincere, mutually beneficial and inclusive diplomacy with its neighboring countries. Through mutual support on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, China contributes to building a more equal and trustworthy international relationship. Moreover, by strengthening political communication and collaboration, developing countries can amplify their voices on the international stage and enhance their overall international discourse power.
Amidst the shadow of trade wars and sluggish global economic growth, economic cooperation among developing countries is of vital importance. China and the three Southeast Asian countries have achieved remarkable results in the economic and trade fields, injecting strong momentum into the regional economy. They have expanded trade through industrial complementarity, boosting related industries and creating jobs, as well as explored cooperation in emerging industries to create new growth drivers. This cooperation can bolster the resilience of developing countries in the global economy, lower their reliance on external volatile factors, and elevate their overall competitiveness through collaborative development. In doing so, it solidifies the foundation for the region’s sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
People-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the three Southeast Asian countries are also important. People-to-people connectivity can be enhanced through cooperation in education, culture and tourism, such as the exchange of students between China and Malaysia and the holding of cultural years. The diversity of civilization can be upheld by promoting dialogue and mutual learning between different cultures. A good public opinion foundation can also be laid through more personnel exchanges. This model of cultural exchange well demonstrates China’s engagement with other developing countries, through which they can deepen cultural understanding, build closer international relations, and work together to advance human civilization.
China’s active engagement in friendly cooperation with Southeast Asian countries is a vivid example of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. And it has provided a strong impetus to solidarity, cooperation and common development of the global South. Looking ahead, China will steadfastly uphold the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. It will continue to join hands with neighboring countries to build a future marked by peace, stability, and prosperity, and contribute even more positive energy to global development and governance.
Zhang Yanqiu is Professor at Institute for A Community With Share Future, Academy of International and Regional Communication Studies, Communication University of China, Beijing.
Meng Lanjuan is Associate Professor at School of International Studies, Communication University of China, Beijing.
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