China's Xi meets Malaysian leaders

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Malaysia's king yesterday, in a state visit analysts said was aimed at burnishing Beijing's credentials as a reliable partner and “not a hegemon”

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Mr Xi embarked this week on a South-east Asia tour that has already taken him to Vietnam and will also include Cambodia, with Beijing trying to position itself as a stable alternative to US President Donald Trump's punitive tariff regime.

Mr Xi was welcomed by Malaysia's king, Sultan Ibrahim, in a colourful ceremony yesterday at the golden-domed Istana palace.

The Chinese leader walked on a red carpet as he inspected an honour guard on the sprawling palace grounds as a Malaysian royal band played.

After talks with the king, Mr Xi was due to meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who will host him for dinner at the administrative capital of Putrajaya outside Kuala Lumpur.

Both leaders will witness the signing of a range of bilateral agreements, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry.