China’s Xi urges Vietnam to oppose US “bullying” as trade war continues | East Asia Tonight (Apr 15)

Key Concepts

• China-Vietnam relations: Strengthening ties, trade cooperation, railway project.
• US-China trade war: Impact on Southeast Asia, tariffs, protectionism, unilateralism.
• ASEAN: Centrality, neutrality, trade relations with China and the US.
• Cyber attacks: Alleged NSA attacks on China's Asian Winter Games infrastructure.
• Singapore election: Dissolution of parliament, campaigning, polling day.
• South Korea: Snap presidential election, aviation disaster, semiconductor industry support.
• China's economic outlook: Downgraded forecasts, impact of US tariffs.

China-Vietnam Relations

• Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a two-day state visit to Vietnam, marking the first stop of his Southeast Asia tour.
• Vietnamese media hailed the visit as a landmark, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties.
• Xi Jinping paid respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and witnessed the launch of the China-Vietnam railway cooperation mechanism.
• Agreements were signed to boost ties, including cooperation in artificial intelligence and the green economy.
• Xi Jinping called on Vietnam to oppose "unilateral bullying," referencing the US-China trade war.
• Example: A railway project from Lao Cai (Chinese border near Yunnan province) to Hai Phong (port near Hanoi) is planned, costing $8 billion USD, partially funded by Chinese loans, with completion expected by 2030. The railway will have 18 stations and trains running up to 160 kilometers per hour.
• Quote: Xi Jinping stated that China and Vietnam should "respond to the uncertainty of the external situation with the stability of China-Vietnam friendly cooperation."

US-China Trade War and ASEAN

• The escalating trade war between the US and China framed discussions during Xi Jinping's visit.
• Xi Jinping criticized "unilateralism" and "protectionism," stating that trade wars undermine the international trading system.
• He called for strengthened cooperation between China and Vietnam as key countries in the global south.
• Malaysia, holding the ASEAN chairmanship, is navigating the challenges posed by US tariffs.
• Southeast Asian economies face high tariffs from the US, ranging from 10% to 49%, with Vietnam and Cambodia being the hardest hit.
• Malaysia faces a 24% tariff, affecting 70% of its exports (excluding semiconductors and electronics).
• ASEAN, with a population of nearly 700 million, has become China's largest trading partner.
• China-ASEAN trade reached almost $1 trillion USD last year.
• Quote: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim admitted that it's a major challenge for Malaysia and ASEAN to showcase its centrality and remain neutral.
• Data: China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner since 2009. In the first three months of 2025, trade between China and ASEAN reached $234 billion, a 7.1% year-on-year increase, accounting for 16.6% of China's overall foreign trade.

China's Perspective and Strategy

• China aims to position itself as a reliable partner amid growing uncertainty in the region.
• Xi Jinping emphasized the need to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen industrial supply chains.
• China and Malaysia have granted each other mutual visa exemptions for up to one month.
• China aims to counter unilateralism and protectionism through a "community with a shared future."
• China is hoping to sell its COMAC narrow-body aircraft C919 to Malaysia.

Cyber Attack Allegations

• China's Harbin city accused the US National Security Agency (NSA) of carrying out cyber attacks to disrupt the recent Asian Winter Games.
• The attacks targeted critical systems, including registration, arrival/departure management, and competition entry platforms.
• Three alleged NSA agents were placed on a wanted list.
• The attacks allegedly used cover agencies to buy IP addresses and anonymously rent servers in Asia and Europe.
• Two American universities, the University of California and Virginia Tech, were allegedly involved.
• China's foreign ministry raised concerns with Washington, urging the US to take a responsible attitude on cyber security.

Singapore Election

• Singapore's parliament has been dissolved, paving the way for a general election on May 3rd.
• Nomination day is set for April 23rd, with nine days of campaigning.
• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong cited "profound changes in the world" and "uncertainty and instability" as reasons for the election.
• Over 2.75 million Singaporeans are registered to vote.
• Postal voting is available for the first time in a parliamentary election.

South Korea

• South Korea is gearing up for a snap presidential election on June 3rd.
• Acting President Han Dong-hoon is not running.
• Lee Jae-myung has emerged as a strong contender.
• Reports emerged about a bird strike warning issued to Muan International Airport 10 days before the Juju Air Flight 2216 crash, which killed 179 people.
• The government pledged $170 million USD over three years to improve prevention measures at all airports.
• The South Korean government unveiled a $23 billion USD support package for the semiconductor industry.

China's Economic Outlook

• UBS downgraded its 2025 forecast for China's economic growth to 3.4%, the lowest among major banks.
• The downgrade is attributed to US tariffs choking exports.
• UBS estimates that current tariff increases could drag down China's GDP growth by more than two percentage points.
• AMRO estimates that GDP growth for ASEAN plus three could reach its slowest pace since the COVID-19 pandemic.

AI and Technology

• Police in Japan arrested four people for selling pornographic images generated by artificial intelligence.
• Deep fake pornography has been a growing issue in Japan.
• Chinese AI startup Chipu is looking to be the first homegrown AI-powered chatbot to tap into the public market.
• Japanese authorities issued a cease and desist order to Google for alleged anti-competitive practices related to Android smartphone manufacturers.

Conclusion

The news bulletin highlights the complex geopolitical and economic landscape of East Asia. China is actively seeking to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations amidst a trade war with the US, positioning itself as a reliable partner and advocating for multilateralism. The US, on the other hand, is employing tariffs and launching probes into various sectors, creating uncertainty and prompting responses from countries like Japan and South Korea. Internally, Singapore is preparing for a general election, while South Korea grapples with political transitions and aviation safety concerns. The region is also witnessing advancements and challenges in the technology sector, from AI-generated content to antitrust actions against major tech firms.