In a significant diplomatic gesture, China has announced its willingness to take the lead in signing the protocol for a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia.

The statement comes from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who confirmed that China is ready to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) “as soon as possible.” She also emphasized that Beijing works with ASEAN nations to finalize the process.

About the Treaty

• The SEANWFZ Treaty, signed in 1995 by the 10 ASEAN member states, prohibits the development, possession, or deployment of nuclear weapons in the region.
• Its protocol invites the world’s five recognized nuclear powers—China, the U.S., Russia, France, and the U.K.—to commit to respecting the zone and not using or threatening nuclear weapons within it.

What’s New?

• Malaysia’s state media reports that China and Russia have agreed to sign the protocol, while the United States has yet to decide.
• China is now the first nuclear-armed country to publicly state its readiness to sign without conditions, signaling a potential shift in regional diplomacy.

Geopolitical Context

China’s move comes amid growing concerns over nuclear tensions and rising military competition in the Asia-Pacific, including the AUKUS alliance between Australia, the UK, and the U.S., which involves the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines.

Beijing’s willingness to back a nuclear-free Southeast Asia may be an attempt to build trust with ASEAN neighbors and counterbalance Western military alliances.

AMN-USA will continue tracking how other nuclear powers, including the U.S., respond to this latest development and what it means for regional and global security.