China has announced its willingness to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, marking a significant diplomatic move that could reshape the region's nuclear landscape. The announcement was made on July 3 by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who confirmed that China is prepared to engage in constructive consultations with ASEAN countries to move the process forward.
The SEANWFZ Treaty, established in 1995 and effective from 1997, aims to keep Southeast Asia free from nuclear weapons and related threats. The accompanying Protocol invites the five recognized nuclear-weapon states—China, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France—to formally commit to respecting the nuclear-weapon-free status of the region and to refrain from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons within it.
According to Malaysian authorities, both China and Russia have now expressed their readiness to sign the Protocol. However, the United States remains in a review phase and has yet to make a definitive decision. China’s decision to step forward comes ahead of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from July 8 to 11, where further developments are expected.
China has long supported the SEANWFZ Treaty, consistently stating its willingness to sign the Protocol without reservations. Its support aligns with its declared nuclear no-first-use policy and its broader objective to promote regional peace and security. Analysts interpret Beijing’s move as an effort to portray itself as a responsible global power committed to non-proliferation, especially in contrast to Western military alignments in the Indo-Pacific, such as the AUKUS pact involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
If China and Russia proceed with signing during the upcoming ASEAN meeting, it could place additional pressure on the other nuclear-weapon states to follow suit. This would strengthen the SEANWFZ Protocol’s legitimacy and reinforce the ASEAN region’s stance on nuclear disarmament and security.
ASEAN officials hope that the early commitment from China and Russia will serve as a catalyst for broader acceptance of the treaty. The upcoming diplomatic gathering in Malaysia will be closely watched for formal agreements and further announcements from participating nations.
China’s initiative marks a strategic step in regional diplomacy and global nuclear governance, offering a renewed push for disarmament efforts in Southeast Asia and potentially encouraging wider international cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation.