Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit three Southeast Asian countries – Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from–April 14 to 18.
The much-anticipated visit is expected to have a meaningful impact in the region's future development.
CGTN's Global South Voices delved into the growing momentum of Southeast Asia-China cooperation. Against the backdrop of President Xi's upcoming visit, the program brought together leaders, experts, and scholars from the region to explore why countries in Southeast Asia are choosing partnership with China over Western pressure.
China: A partner for development, not domination
Participants from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines shared their perspectives on how China's approach to diplomacy and development differs from that of the West.
They highlighted the emphasis on mutual respect, infrastructure investment, and people-centered development – core aspects of China's engagement with ASEAN countries.
Syed Hamid Albar, former foreign minister of Malaysia underscored the tangible benefits of Chinese investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), pointing to upgraded transport networks, job creation, and enhanced regional connectivity.
"The West tells us what to do, China asks us what we need," he said.
Rejecting the new cold war narrative
Guests also criticised the growing narrative of a new cold war pushed by some Western powers, arguing that such rhetoric ignores the realities on the ground. Sous Yara, chairman of Foreign Affairs Commission of National Assembly of Cambodia warned that countries in the region do not want to be forced to "choose sides" in a geopolitical contest.
Instead, they seek balanced partnerships that support peace and prosperity.
Francis Manglapus, secretary general of the Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) stressed that Western criticism of China's engagement often reflects a fear of losing influence, not genuine concern for human rights or sovereignty. When the U.S. talks about "pressure," Southeast Asians hear "interference." But when China talks about "cooperation," Southeast Asian countries see real results.
Shared values, not strategic anxiety
While Southeast Asia maintains its own strategic autonomy, guests in the program noted that historical ties and cultural affinity give China a unique place in Southeast Asian countries' foreign relations. Trade, tourism, and cross-border infrastructure projects were all cited as key areas of cooperation. The narrative of "strategic anxiety" between China and Vietnam, often emphasized in Western media, was dismissed by participants as exaggerated and unhelpful.
Experts emphasized that what truly binds China and Vietnam is a shared commitment to national development, political stability, and regional peace. Both countries have prioritized economic modernization while preserving social cohesion and political independence. Rather than being caught in the so-called "great power competition," Vietnam seeks a balanced, pragmatic approach – one that aligns naturally with China's vision of regional integration and peaceful coexistence.
A future rooted in regional cooperation
As China deepens ties with Southeast Asia, this episode of Global South Voices made clear that the region sees China not as a threat, but as a critical partner in its development journey. Experts agreed that the future of Asia will be built not through pressure and division, but through cooperation, connectivity, and shared goals.
The program once again underscored a broader message resonating across the Global South: the world is moving towards multipolarity, and Southeast Asia is choosing progress over provocation.