As Trump Departs, China’s Li Qiang Steps In to Champion Free Trade at ASEAN Summit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shake hands on the opening day of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, 2025. Image via Bernama.

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday to take part in the ASEAN leaders’ summit that started over the weekend.

Li’s arrival came one day after U.S. President Donald Trump left Malaysia to continue his weeklong tour of Asia, which also includes stops in South Korea and Japan.

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by Eric Olander

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