China’s leader is on a charm offensive in the region, but some of Beijing’s neighbors are wary of being caught in the crossfire of a superpower rivalry.

The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia at a time of great uncertainty about the course of U.S. policy toward the region.

President Xi Jinping will meet Vietnam's leaders in Hanoi on Monday as he begins a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, aiming to cement ties with some of China's closest neighbours amid mounting trade tensions with the United States.