During a visit to Southeast Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised the concept of an "Asian family" and urged countries in the region to work together. This seems to be part of his strategy to counteract the pressure from the US on nations to reduce their trade connections with China.

In a speech at a state dinner in Malaysia on Wednesday, Xi highlighted the importance of solidarity, as the Trump administration gets ready to ask trade partners to join efforts in surrounding Beijing. “China and Malaysia will stand with countries in the region to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical and bloc-based confrontation,” Xi said in the Malaysian administrative capital of Putrajaya.

“Together we will safeguard the bright prospects of our Asian family.” A joint declaration issued on Thursday, in which China and Malaysia committed to strengthening cooperation on industry, supply chains, data, and talent, strengthened this diplomatic effort. They pledged to establish a "high-level strategic Malaysia-China community" and carry out their Five-Year Programme for Economic and Trade Cooperation. 

In an article published on Thursday in Cambodian media, the Chinese leader again called for opposing unilateralism, indirectly targeting the US, just before arriving in Phnom Penh. “Together we must stand against hegemonism, power politics,” he wrote, adding that the two neighbours should “resolutely oppose any attempts by external forces to interfere in our internal affairs, sow discord.” Xi's comments came amid an intensifying trade conflict with the US. According to Bloomberg News, Washington is planning to ask other countries to take action to limit China's manufacturing power, which may include imposing "secondary tariffs" on Chinese goods in exchange for tariff reductions. Both China and the US seem to be standing firm, with Trump raising tariffs on Chinese goods to as high as 145%, and China responding with tariffs of about 125% on US imports.

Xi chose Southeast Asia as the destination for his first overseas trip of the year, aiming to prevent these countries from making deals with the US that could hurt China. Despite a 90-day break from increased tariffs, Trump's threats of major tariff hikes have forced many governments in the region to carefully balance their relationships with both powers.

Xi's trip began in Vietnam on Monday, where he was warmly welcomed by the leaders and the two countries signed 45 agreements to strengthen economic ties. A joint statement released by Hanoi emphasised that both sides “oppose unilateralism” and any actions that could threaten regional peace and stability, using language similar to what they have said in the past.