Hello and welcome to Road Today, the panel discussion with Miko Anna in Beijing.
This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a landmark state visit to three key Southeast Asian nations,
Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia.
This trip aims to breathe new life into the vision of a shared future with China's neighbors and promote lasting peace and development in the region and beyond.
But this is more than a routine diplomatic mission.
It comes at a time of growing tension in global trade,
with Washington's terror threats casting a shadow over the world economy.
So what does the trip tell us about China's evolving role in the region,
and why is it capturing global attention right now?
Well, unpack all of that and more in today's program, with expert voices from across the region.
They are Dr. Li Peimei, assistant professor of political science at the International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Thanks for joining us.
Thank you for having me.
Herman Lauro, founder of the Philippine Breaks Strategic Studies Group, a think tank on Philippines in global affairs.
Great to have you.
Thank you for inviting me.
And Professor Song Qingran, School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, welcome.
Hello, everyone.
All right, let's first dive into the strategic timing of this visit.
Professor Song, President Xi Jinping chose Southeast Asia, Vietnam,