Photo/Xinhua] The tour sent a strong signal that China firmly defends multilateralism and international trade rules, Wang said. On Xi's visit to Vietnam, Wang said that the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries is the biggest advantage of and the most important political guarantee for the development of China-Vietnam relations.

China has been strongly increasing its influence in the region over the past decade, largely by exercising its substantial economic leverage

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has promised Malaysia and Vietnam greater access to Chinese markets as he tours Southeast Asia this week. “China welcomes more high-quality agricultural products from Malaysia to enter the Chinese market and encourages Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Malaysia,