China Backs Southeast Asia Nuclear-Free Zone for Regional Peace and Stability

China supports establishing a Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone to promote regional peace and stability. This move is significant for the region and aligns with China's commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. The establishment of such a zone would help to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict and create a safer environment for all countries in the region.

China has signaled its readiness to sign the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty, a significant step towards promoting regional peace and stability. This move aligns with China's broader commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, and it is expected to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict in the region.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan announced that China is prepared to sign the treaty once all formal documentation is completed. The 1997 treaty prohibits the use of nuclear weapons within Southeast Asia and limits nuclear energy use to peaceful purposes. ASEAN hopes that global nuclear powers, including China, the U.S., the UK, France, and Russia, will formally commit to keeping the region free of nuclear weapons [1].

China's Foreign Ministry has confirmed ongoing communication with ASEAN on the matter and reiterated its support. "China has always firmly supported the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia," spokesperson Mao Ning said [2].

The signing of the treaty by China would be significant as it would be the first time a nuclear-armed country fully endorses the SEANWFZ treaty. China's commitment to the treaty comes amidst renewed efforts to revive ASEAN's Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality (Zopfan) [3].

The establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in Southeast Asia is expected to boost the international credibility of the SEANWFZ Protocol and intensify diplomatic pressure on other Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to reconsider their reservations and re-engage with the treaty. Malaysia's neutral and principled foreign policy gives it the credibility to act as a trusted bridge-builder in such complex negotiations [3].

The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), scheduled from July 8 to 11, is expected to gather about 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from ASEAN, Timor-Leste, ASEAN dialogue partners, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) participants, sectoral dialogue partners, and ASEAN Secretariat senior officials. Malaysia is hosting the AMM as part of its fifth ASEAN Chairmanship, having previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015 [3].

References:
[1] https://news.az/news/china-signals-readiness-to-sign-southeast-asia-nuclear-weapons-free-treaty
[2] https://trt.global/world/article/0bf33bfd9a14
[3] https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/07/08/asean039s-zopfan-revived-thanks-to-china-and-russia039s-support-says-expert