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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia via AP

Published: 10:00pm, 31 Mar 2023Updated: 2:24am, 1 Apr 2023

China is prepared to work with Southeast Asia to oppose cold war-style bloc confrontation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said as he rolled out the red carpet in Beijing for the leaders of Singapore and Malaysia on Friday.

The visits by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic activity in the Chinese capital since Xi began a norms-breaking third five-year term as state leader earlier this month.

In his meeting with Lee, Xi said ties with the city state were a priority for China’s regional diplomacy and the prime minister’s visit would further elevate the relationship.

“China is ready to strengthen strategic communication with Singapore and deepen strategic dovetailing, so as to make quality the hallmark of China-Singapore cooperation,” Xi told Lee, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Xi said that amid global geopolitical changes, countries in Asia should work together to maintain the momentum of development in the region.

“We firmly oppose bullying and unequivocally resist decoupling … and will not allow any country to deprive the Asian people of their right to pursue a better and happier life,” he said.