Thai and Indonesian analysts have hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded Southeast Asia visit a signal of China's dedication to mutual development with neighboring countries, expressing optimism for deeper ties between Southeast Asian countries and China.
Xi paid state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from Monday to Friday, marking his first overseas trip of the year.
"President Xi's visit to the three Southeast Asian countries conveys China's sincere aspiration to work with neighboring countries for shared development and prosperity and jointly building a community with a shared future. 'A close neighbor is better than a distant relative' reflects China's philosophy of neighborly relations since ancient times. China warmly welcomes neighboring countries to board the 'express train' of China’s development, enabling more of China's development fruits to benefit the neighboring countries. These principles are believed to deepen the connections between ASEAN countries and China," said Chib Jitniyom, vice chairman of the Thai Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.
Indonesian scholars noted this visit strengthens China-Southeast Asia relations against the backdrop of a complex international landscape.
"We also expect that during these chaotic and very difficult circumstances, China will also strengthen relations with Southeast Asia. And within ASEAN Plus China, ASEAN Plus One, we hope there will be more opportunities for Southeast Asia to form a better relation with China," said Evi Fitriani, a professor of international relations at the University of Indonesia.
"President Xi Jinping, by visiting the neighboring countries, this is a very strategic thing, because neighboring countries are the closest countries that we can rely on if we have problems," said Arif Zamhari, a professor at Maulana Malik Ibrahim Islamic State University Malang.
Xi's tour forges deeper ties with neighboring countries, promotes mutual development: analysts
