Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping to show they won’t be bullied in tariff negotiations with the US, analysts say. But they add that it remains a delicate balancing act for ASEAN states.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has told Malaysia’s leader that China will be a collaborative partner and stand with its Southeast Asian neighbors in the wake of global economic shocks.

KUALA LUMPUR/HANOI/PHNOM PENH -- Chinese President Xi Jinping returns to Beijing on Friday after his highest-profile tour of Southeast Asia, a five-day, three-country visit laced with both symbolism and strategic calculation.