Malaysia says China ready to sign S-E Asian nuclear weapons-free treaty
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Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan chairing the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with China at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on July 10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KUALA LUMPUR – China will sign up to a South-east Asian treaty banning nuclear weapons in the region as soon as all documentation is ready, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on July 10.
The South-east Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, or SEANWFZ, has been in force since 1997, limiting the use of nuclear power by members to peaceful purposes, such as power generation.
Asean’s objective is for the world’s nuclear powers, including China, the US, Britain, Russia and France, to sign the treaty and commit to non-use or movement of nuclear weapons in the region, including countries’ exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.
“China made a commitment to ensure that they will sign the treaty without reservation,” Datuk Seri Mohamad told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of counterparts from Asean and partner countries.
China is in communication with Asean countries about the signing of the protocol, its Foreign Ministry said.
“China has always firmly supported the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South-east Asia and has repeatedly expressed its willingness to take the lead in signing the protocol to the treaty,” ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a regular news briefing.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is currently in Kuala Lumpur to attend meetings with his Asean counterparts. REUTERS
