Part 4/9:
As Xi completed his visits, the reactions were telling. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh went on record to emphasize the uniqueness of the US-Vietnam relationship, dismissing China's overtures. Additionally, Vietnam's plans to procure American military aircraft marked a significant pivot away from China's sphere.
Similarly, in Malaysia, Xi’s visit coincided with a government crackdown on foreign media and a strategic shift toward satellite relationships with the United States. Reports emerged indicating that Malaysia was prepared to adopt Boeing aircraft if China opted not to, thereby signaling a complex balancing act between Southeast Asian nations and their response to Chinese pressure.