Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia next week, his first overseas trip this year, aiming to consolidate ties with some of China's closest neighbours as trade tension escalates with the United States.

President Xi Jinping will visit three Southeast Asian countries next week, as China steps up efforts to court partners to buffer the economy against an escalating trade war with the US.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit three Southeast Asian countries early next week to strengthen regional cooperation in his first tour abroad after US President Donald Trump slapped 145 per cent tariffs against China's exports intensifying the trade war with Beijing.