Latest news with #BangkokTreaty
The Hill
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
China's nuclear weapons ploy is a war signal from Xi
On July 3, China's foreign ministry signaled that Beijing would sign the protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, or Bangkok Treaty of 1995. Russia is also ready to ink the protocol according to sources. Some believe the U.S. is also considering doing so. Beijing and Moscow suddenly deciding to sign the protocol is not an indication that peace is breaking out in that volatile portion of the world. On the contrary, the willingness to join looks like a war signal. 'As [the Association of South East Asian Nations'] comprehensive strategic partner and friendly neighbor, China firmly supports establishing the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone,' said Mao Ning, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, at her regular press conference. 'We have said more than once that China is ready to take the lead in signing the protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty. We will maintain communication with ASEAN countries on this matter.' The Bangkok Treaty is a pact signed by all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The treaty, according to the association, is 'a commitment to preserve the Southeast Asian region as a region free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.' Moreover, through the treaty, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 'reaffirms the importance' of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty established the world's third nuclear weapons-free zone. There are now five in total. The other zones cover Latin America and the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Africa and Central Asia. It also includes a protocol designed to be signed by the five states permitted by the non-proliferation treaty to possess nuclear weapons. The protocol, among other things, prohibits the use or threats to use nuclear weapons in the zone. So far, none of the five nuclear weapons states has signed on. So what's the harm in a nuclear weapons state signing the protocol? 'China and Russia had previously proposed a nuclear weapon-free zone for the Middle East to pressure Israel to give up its nuclear forces and to prevent the U.S. from deploying such weapons in the area,' Peter Huessy of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies told me this month. 'Now, Beijing and Moscow are playing the same game in Southeast Asia, which would make the area free for them to deploy surreptitiously their own nuclear forces.' After Beijing's July 3 announcement, Richard Fisher of the International Assessment and Strategy Center told me: 'The only reason for the Chinese Communist Party to sign the [protocol] is that it is getting closer to using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against Taiwan or the Philippines.' 'The treaty provides no real protection from Chinese nuclear weapons, but it would forbid U.S.-ally Philippines from permitting America to base nuclear weapons on its territory for the purpose of deterring or defeating a Chinese nuclear attack or an actual Chinese invasion of the Philippine island of Palawan, a threat for which Manila and Washington have been preparing,' said Fisher. 'As China gets closer to its war to destroy democracy in Taiwan, it wants to use the nuclear weapon-free zone to prevent the U.S. from deploying these weapons to defend that island republic too.' Fisher pointed out that China, with its ballistic missile submarines alone, will have, according to his median estimate, somewhere between 216 to 720 nuclear warheads 'on Southeast Asia's doorstep' by 2035. 'It's not clear to me how a country undertaking the largest nuclear arms build-up has the gall to push a nuclear-free zone treaty when it's busy deploying seaborne nuclear weapons all over the place,' said Huessy, who is also president of GeoStrategic Analysis. As both Huessy and Fisher noted, China has long been planning to wage war in East Asia. For instance, Xi Jinping has been issuing bellicose rhetoric lately. His favorite phrase these days is 'dare to fight.' He is doing more than just talking, however. Xi is engaged in the fastest military buildup since World War II. He has also been sanctions-proof his regime, stockpiling grain and other commodities, firing uniformed officers opposed to going to war and calling up reservists and mobilizing civilians for battle. Given significant war preparations, it's unlikely Beijing's willingness to sign the protocol to the Bangkok Treaty is the result of peaceful intentions. There is also a larger issue involving China's compliance with treaty obligations. Take Beijing's core promise not to spread nuclear weapons technology. Beginning in the 1970s, China proliferated that technology to Pakistan. As Huessy pointed out, Pakistan, through the A.Q. Khan black-market ring, then merchandised the Chinese tech to North Korea, Iran, Iraq and Libya. So why should the international community trust Beijing to honor the protocol when it violated its obligation to not proliferate nuclear weapons? In reality, treaties with China are one-way. Beijing expects others to honor their promises while it feels free to violate its obligations. So let Beijing and Moscow sign the protocol to the Bangkok Treaty, but the United States should not do so. Countries in the region rely on the American 'nuclear umbrella,' Washington's guarantee to use its most destructive weapons to protect them from attack. This is no time to call into question this critical commitment for U.S. friends and partners throughout East Asia.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
China to sign nuclear-free Southeast Asia treaty without reservations
KUALA LUMPUR: China will sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty without reservations as soon as possible, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. China will be the first nuclear weapon state, as listed under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to sign it. "China will sign the SEANWFZ Treaty without reservations, as soon as the documentation is ready," he said today. Among the matters discussed at the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with China, which he co-chaired with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, were freedom of navigation and open skies in the South China Sea, including issues related to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he said. "We look forward to better cooperation between Asean and China," he said. He said Asean and China hold vast potential in trade, with the bloc currently being a significant trading partner for China. Trade between Asean and China has more than doubled since 2010, from USD235.5 billion to USD507.9 billion in 2019, and has almost quadrupled since the entry into force of the Asean-China Trade in Goods Agreement in 2005. Asean's exports to China grew at an average annual rate of 10.4 per cent from 2010 to 2019, compared to 12.5 per cent for Asean's imports from China during the same period. Asean's trade deficit with China increased from USD10.4 billion in 2010 to USD102.9 billion in 2019. Additionally, besides China, other nuclear weapon states under the NPT include France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Previously, Mohamad reportedly said that Russia had also agreed to sign the SEANWFZ Treaty, while the US was still reviewing it. The SEANWFZ Treaty, also known as the Bangkok Treaty, was signed on Dec 15, 1995, by the 10 Asean member states and was registered with the United Nations on June 27, 1997. On July 8, Mohamad said Timor-Leste would accede to the Bangkok Treaty by the 47th Asean Summit, further expanding the treaty's geographical scope.
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
SEANWFZ bloc urged to build ties with similar global zones
KUALA LUMPUR: Southeast Asia must collaborate with other nuclear-weapon-free zones around the world to build common ground in the fight against nuclear threats, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said this cooperation is crucial to ensuring a world free from the threat and existence of nuclear weapons. "We want the SEANWFZ (Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone) bloc within Asean to establish relations with other nuclear-weapon-free zone blocs. "Our goal is to find common ground and discuss how we can work together to ensure the world is free from the threat and existence of nuclear weapons," he said after chairing the SEANWFZ Commission Meeting here yesterday. Mohamad said the meeting discussed strengthening the SEANWFZ Treaty, particularly in relation to the nuclear-armed states, so they may jointly sign the agreement. "China has already expressed its willingness to sign the treaty without reservations, and two to three other countries have contacted Malaysia, as the Asean Chair this year. "They have also expressed interest in resuming and continuing previously stalled discussions on the SEANWFZ Treaty. "So, this is a positive development," he said. He added that the meeting also adopted the decision to accept Timor-Leste's accession as a member of SEANWFZ, which will be formalised at the 47th Asean Summit this October. "As for other matters, we will further strengthen and refine our modus operandi, as we want Asean member states to truly understand this effort," he said. When asked for a rundown of what will be discussed during the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting tomorrow, he asked reporters to wait for the day. Mohamad also declined to comment on speculations that Myanmar had officially notified its opposition to Timor-Leste joining the Asean bloc. The SEANWFZ Treaty also known as the Bangkok Treaty was signed on December 15, 1995, by the 10 Asean member states and registered with the United Nations on June 27, 1997. China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States were listed as NWS under the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. Previously, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan reportedly announced that China and Russia have agreed to sign SEANWFZ, while the US was still reviewing it. On May 25, the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) adopted the draft addendum to the SEANWFZ. The addendum provides the legal basis to enable Asean Member States and Timor-Leste to undertake the necessary domestic procedures for accession, which marked Timor-Leste's integration into Asean's political and security frameworks. The meeting in May also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to Asean Legal Instruments and Agreements, marking continued progress towards Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean, scheduled to take place in October this year. The 58th AMM and related meetings, to be held under Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability, will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings, including engagements with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. In conjunction with the meetings, Malaysia will also host the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV). Co-chaired with Japan and Palestine, the conference will discuss initiatives to support the reconstruction and development of Gaza and Palestine. The high-level meetings, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11, will gather about 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from Asean member states, Timor-Leste, Asean Dialogue Partners, Asean Regional Forum (ARF) participating countries, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and senior officials from the Asean Secretariat.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean urged to stay united in keeping region free of nuclear weapons
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must ensure that the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty is a dynamic commitment that contributes to regional and global disarmament efforts, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister called on member states to remain united in the pursuit of a nuclear weapon-free region. 'We have a responsibility to ensure the treaty remains not just a legal instrument but a living and dynamic commitment that contributes meaningfully to regional and global disarmament,' he said in his opening remarks at the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting here on Tuesday (July 8). Mohamad also said it is 'deeply concerning' how South-East Asia remains the only nuclear weapon-free zone that is not yet formally recognised by Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) through the signing and ratification of the SEANWFZ Treaty protocol. 'In this regard, we welcome the readiness of NWS to engage with Asean over the signing and ratification of the protocol,' he said. Mohamad said it is incumbent upon Asean to respond constructively and with urgency. 'We must work collectively to create the necessary conditions for the NWS to take these important steps. 'This includes resolving outstanding issues with NWS, in accordance with the principles and objectives of the rreaty,' he said. 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 to respect SEANWFZ and not contribute to any act that violates the treaty and its protocols; to not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against states in the zone; and to not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons within the zone.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Timor-Leste to sign Bangkok Treaty, expanding nuclear weapon-free zone
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste's participation in the Bangkok Treaty, also known as the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, will expand the international instrument's geographic scope of application. Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said Timor-Leste's participation in the treaty was a positive development as the island nation is set to join Asean. "Timor-Leste will join the SEANWFZ. It will expand the geographic scope of the treaty. "This is a positive aspect from Timor-Leste's new membership in Asean," he said after the SEANWFZ executive committee meeting here today. He said the goal was to get countries with nuclear weapons to sign the treaty to protect the region from nuclear weapon harm. He said although there was progress in the past years, efforts must be heightened to get more signatories. "The main issue is to get nuclear weapon states to accede the protocols or the treaty. "There has been progress, but we need more significant progress." China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are listed as nuclear weapon states under the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. Previously, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan announced that China and Russia had agreed to sign the SEANWFZ Treaty, while the US was reviewing it. On May 25, the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting adopted the draft addendum to the SEANWFZ Treaty. The addendum provides the legal basis to enable Asean member states and Timor-Leste to undertake domestic procedures for accession, marking Timor-Leste's integration into Asean's political and security frameworks. The meeting in May also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to Asean Legal Instruments and Agreements, marking continued progress towards Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean, scheduled to take place in October. The Bangkok Treaty was signed on Dec 15, 1995 by 10 Asean member states and registered with the United Nations on June 27, 1997.
