President Xi Jinping hosted leaders from five ASEAN nations in Beijing this week as China seeks to manage escalating tensions in the South China Sea while deepening economic ties with its southern neighbours.

The meetings, described by Chinese state media as “frank and productive,” covered a range of issues including maritime boundary disputes, trade facilitation, and infrastructure investment under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reportedly raised concerns about Chinese coast guard activities near disputed shoals, while Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh focused on fisheries cooperation and joint development proposals.

“The key message from Beijing is that economic engagement and territorial disputes can be managed separately,” said Dr. Sarah Chen, a Southeast Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group. “Whether ASEAN leaders buy that framing is another question entirely.”

The summit concluded with a joint statement pledging to accelerate negotiations on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, though critics noted similar pledges have been made repeatedly over the past decade with limited progress.