‘Let’s build a digital Silk Road’: President Xi promises ways for China and Asean neighbours to get closer

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to further deepen cooperation and promote a “digital Silk Road” with Southeast Asia as Beijing moves to cement its influence in Asia Pacific just as the new US administration says it wants to pivot towards the region and resume a leadership role.In a recorded message on Friday, Xi also reassured the Asian leaders that China gives top priority to its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a 10-member regional bloc, and that…