Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour highlighted China’s commitment to free trade and regional cooperation, as key agreements were signed with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
During his Southeast Asia tour this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping defended the global free trade system and positioned China as a source of regional stability and certainty. His visit opened the door for key agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation and deepening economic ties with neighbouring countries.
In Vietnam, President Xi was welcomed with a grand reception in Hanoi, where he held talks with Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. Their discussions centred on reinforcing economic collaboration and preserving free trade. Xi also visited the tomb of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party.
Emphasising the importance of strategic partnership, Xi called for China and Vietnam to jointly benefit from economic globalisation. Both nations signed agreements on supply chains and railway infrastructure, while China pledged to facilitate greater access for Vietnamese agricultural products to its domestic market.
Xi’s official tour then took him to Malaysia and Cambodia. In Malaysia, discussions were held over expanding free trade agreements within ASEAN, with Malaysia currently chairing the organisation. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn noted that the agreement would involve tariff reductions and broader trade cooperation.
China continues to invest heavily in Malaysia through its Belt and Road Initiative, including the country’s largest infrastructure project — an $11.2 billion railway. China also remains Malaysia’s top trading partner.
The tour underlines China’s strategic goal of reinforcing its regional influence, particularly as it faces new U.S. tariffs. Xi presented China as a ‘responsible’ global power in the face of shifting economic landscapes. Nevertheless, longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea remain a sensitive issue, generating tensions between China, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
In Monday's news hour programme, our Guy Shone talked about Britain's new spy chief of Mi6, the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, Blaise Metreweli, and about China's President Xi Jinping making a pivotal trip to Kazakhstan to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana.
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In a rare direct call, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping addressed escalating trade tensions and a critical minerals dispute that threatens global supply chains. The hour-long conversation, which touched on tariffs, rare earth exports.
President Donald Trump announced a "very good" phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, centred on the recently finalised trade deal and rare earth product agreements. Both leaders expressed optimism, and high-level delegations are set to meet soon.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Belarus as a true friend of China as he met Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of the sanctions-hit European nation, on Wednesday and urged the Russian ally to join Beijing in opposing "hegemony and bullying".
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighboring regions early Thursday, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
SpaceX’s massive Starship spacecraft dramatically exploded late Wednesday night during testing at the company’s test site in Brownsville, Texas. The incident marks the latest setback for billionaire Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to send humans to Mars.
The 19th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) is underway in St. Petersburg, Russia. The gathering, which brings together 41 news agencies from 33 countries, is being hosted by the TASS news agency as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
European stock markets ended the day in negative territory following interest rate decisions by major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE).
The first side event of the Global South NGO Platform was held in Bonn, Germany.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
SpaceX’s massive Starship spacecraft dramatically exploded late Wednesday night during testing at the company’s test site in Brownsville, Texas. The incident marks the latest setback for billionaire Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to send humans to Mars.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has strongly rejected allegations that the IAEA Board of Governors’ June 12 report provided Israel with justification to attack Iran. Grossi emphasized that the agency’s role and reports can never be used to legitimize
Denmark announced it will continue backing Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership despite Hungary’s ongoing blockade, as it prepares to assume the presidency of the European Council on July 1.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has underscored the urgent need to ramp up international pressure on Russia following Moscow’s defence of the Iranian regime.
President Donald Trump has said he will make a decision in the coming two weeks on whether the United States will strike Iran, citing a possibility of upcoming negotiations.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighboring regions early Thursday, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
SpaceX’s massive Starship spacecraft dramatically exploded late Wednesday night during testing at the company’s test site in Brownsville, Texas. The incident marks the latest setback for billionaire Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to send humans to Mars.
The 19th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) is underway in St. Petersburg, Russia. The gathering, which brings together 41 news agencies from 33 countries, is being hosted by the TASS news agency as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
European stock markets ended the day in negative territory following interest rate decisions by major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE).
The first side event of the Global South NGO Platform was held in Bonn, Germany.
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