China to Sign Southeast Asia Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty Soon

 

China is preparing to sign a key regional treaty that would commit it to keeping Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons, according to Malaysia’s foreign minister. The agreement in question is the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), which was established in 1997 by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This treaty prohibits the development, testing, possession, or use of nuclear weapons within Southeast Asia and its surrounding territories, including exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan confirmed that China has agreed to sign the treaty “without reservation” once all official documentation is complete. He made this announcement during a regional diplomatic meeting with ASEAN and its partner countries. China’s foreign ministry has not publicly responded to his statement, but last week, Beijing said it supported SEANWFZ and was ready to lead by example.

The treaty is part of a long-standing ASEAN vision to prevent nuclear conflict and escalation in the region, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions. SEANWFZ is already binding for all ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and others. However, it has yet to be signed by any of the recognized nuclear-armed states under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which includes China, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France.

The signing of SEANWFZ by China would mark a significant diplomatic step, especially given the broader strategic competition between the U.S. and China in Southeast Asia. While ASEAN countries maintain relations with multiple global powers, the presence of nuclear weapons in or near the region has been a longstanding concern. By supporting SEANWFZ, China could demonstrate its commitment to regional peace and its willingness to respect ASEAN’s leadership on security matters.

Malaysia’s foreign minister emphasized China’s readiness to sign without demanding exceptions or special conditions. This could pave the way for negotiations with other nuclear powers to join the treaty in the future, something ASEAN has long advocated for. The ultimate goal is a region where no nuclear weapons are stationed, tested, or transported, contributing to regional stability and non-proliferation.

China’s endorsement might also increase pressure on other nuclear-armed states to follow suit, particularly the United States, which has military arrangements in the region and has historically been cautious about limiting its nuclear mobility. Observers say that China’s move may be strategic, allowing it to gain goodwill with ASEAN nations and to contrast its approach with that of the U.S.

While China has not officially signed yet, the assurance that it will do so “once the documents are ready” signals diplomatic intent. The treaty’s implementation still depends on procedural steps and formal acceptance by nuclear states. Nonetheless, Malaysia’s announcement is seen as a major step forward for SEANWFZ’s long-term goal of a nuclear weapons-free Southeast Asia.

If realized, this would reinforce ASEAN’s position as a stabilizing force in Asia, strengthen trust in China’s regional intentions, and set the stage for broader nuclear restraint in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.

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