The rare bilateral visits to Southeast Asian nations mark a high-profile personal diplomatic outreach for Xi. Earlier this week, the Chinese president pledged to deepen "all-round cooperation" with China's neighboring countries.

China's President Xi Jinping called for support for the international system centred around the United Nations, trade and the rule of law as he continued on a Southeast Asian tour amid a sharp deterioration in China-U.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has told Malaysia’s leader that China will be a collaborative partner and stand with its Southeast Asian neighbors in the wake of global economic shocks.