China's Xi to visit Southeast Asia as trade conflict with US widens

FILE PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with foreign business leaders at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China March 28, 2025. - Photo: Reuters

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping will embark on a three-nation Southeast Asia tour next week in his first overseas trip this year to consolidate ties with some of China's closest neighbours as trade tensions with the United States escalate.

Xi will visit Vietnam from April 14-15, and Malaysia and Cambodia from April 15-18, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday (April 11).