BEIJING, July 3 — China firmly supports the establishment of a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), in its capacity as Asean's comprehensive strategic partner and friendly neighbour, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Its spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated that China is ready to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty.
“We will maintain communication with the Asean countries on this matter,” she said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced that China and Russia have agreed to become signatories to the SEANWFZ, while the United States is currently reviewing the treaty before signing.
He said the involvement of superpowers in the treaty would help preserve Southeast Asia as a region of peace, free of nuclear weapons.
SEANWFZ, also known as the Bangkok Treaty, was signed in December 1995 in Bangkok by 10 Asean member countries.
It came into effect in March 1997.
The protocol of the treaty commits Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to respect SEANWFZ and not contribute to any act that violates the treaty and its protocols; not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against states in the zone; and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons within the zone.
— Bernama
