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.

China's President Xi Jinping called for support for the international system centred around the United Nations, trade and the rule of law as he continued on a Southeast Asian tour amid a sharp deterioration in China-U.

His comments, in an article for Vietnam's Nhan Dan newspaper, come he begins a series of state visits to the country, Malaysia and Cambodia from April 14 to 18.