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The Diplomat
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Can the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Bring China and the US Together?
Amid an increasingly tumultuous time of escalating global nuclear tensions, a quiet but potentially significant development emerged in the Southeast Asia region. During the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference with China, Beijing reportedly declared its commitment to sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty 'without reservation.' The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed this, expressing China's willingness 'to be the first' in signing the treaty. Russia is expected to sign as well, according to Malaysia's foreign minister. Beijing's longstanding support for the SEANWFZ has been consistent and welcomed by the region and proponents of disarmament. What is more surprising – and arguably more consequential – is that the United States is reportedly reviewing and considering the treaty. This consideration, after years of giving the SEANWFZ a cold shoulder, reflects an unexpected alignment with China and Russia – a rare potential point of convergence between the three nuclear powers on nuclear restraint in the region. This development marks a major turn for the SEANWFZ. Also known as the Treaty of Bangkok, it aims to prohibit the development, stationing, or testing of nuclear weapons in the territories of ASEAN member states. A related protocol within this treaty calls for the five nuclear-weapon states – France, the U.S., the U.K., Russia, and China – to not use or deploy nuclear weapons in the zone. Yet three decades since the treaty's signing by ASEAN states in 1995, none of the nuclear weapons states has signed the protocol. This persistent impasse doesn't stem from outright rejection of the idea of a nuclear weapons-free zone, given that several nuclear weapon states have signed on to similar initiatives in Central Asia as well as Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, the reluctance to sign on to the protocol is in large part due to the interpretive uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding the articles of SEANWFZ. Take the issue of transporting nuclear weapons through the region, for example. While Article 3(1)(b) required signatory states to not 'station, or transport nuclear weapons by any means,' Article 7 indicated that it is the prerogative of each state to allow foreign vessels entry or passage through its territorial waters. In both cases, the treaty lacks explicit clauses involving the transit of nuclear weapons by a third-party nation. The ambiguity in terms of strategic assets transiting through the zone could contradict and undermine longstanding commitments to freedom of navigation. While there have been revised protocols brokered between nuclear weapon states and ASEAN to narrow the divide and outline steps toward eventual agreement, disagreements still persist over the vague geographical extent of the treaty and its related transit provisions. From this view, the current convergence on support for the SEANWFZ, however nascent or fragile, offers a valuable and rare opening to reinvigorate stalled and acrimonious strategic relations between the world's top nuclear powers. This can be done by seizing this opportunity in shifting the focus of the dialogue. Rather than debating the merits of the treaty, China, Russia, the United States, and ASEAN can redirect efforts and engage in substantive and productive dialogues to clarify the meaning, scope, and mechanisms underpinning the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. Specifically, to capitalize on this alignment and move the SEANWFZ from a mere concept to actuality, ASEAN should take a more proactive role in convening and leading discussions. Whether in initiating dialogues or establishing multilateral working groups involving the nuclear weapons states, ASEAN's role is imperative in this regard for two reasons. First, it would not only assert the bloc's relevance and leadership – a key feature of ASEAN Centrality – but it could also demonstrate ASEAN's maturity and showcase its capacity for leadership in complex strategic affairs. Second, ASEAN's involvement as an honest broker could also steer the conversation away from geopolitical impasse and toward practical and meaningful dialogues among the participants. Importantly, the goal of discussions and dialogue should not be the immediate ratification of the SEANWFZ by the nuclear weapons states. On the contrary, the focus should be centered on the process that will lead to the ratification. The process of establishing a joint understanding and establishing clarity in the Southeast Asian version of a nuclear weapons-free zone would, by extension, include discussions regarding setting the boundaries of the zone, clarifying the permissibility of transit of nuclear weapons – and if so, what type, under what conditions, and how would it be verified – as well as clarifying issues surrounding stationing of strategic assets. Such dialogue could serve as a low-hanging confidence-building measure that could kickstart strategic dialogues. At the same time, it offers a rare on-ramp to China-U.S. or Russia-U.S. strategic engagement, potentially laying the groundwork for future trilateral discussions and cooperation. In an era of great power rivalry, where formal strategic dialogues have become increasingly hard to come by, dialogues surrounding the technical and legal aspects of ASEAN's nuclear-weapon-free zone offer an invaluable opportunity to develop common points and establish shared understandings. Despite being narrow in scope, it is high in potential as joint technical and legal discussions and consultations on the SEANWFZ can lay the foundation for broader strategic dialogues, particularly at a time of frayed relations. Viewed this way, even if clarifying the terms and meanings of the SEANWFZ will not resolve great power tension, it offers a rare, realistic step forward, while affirming ASEAN's central role in Southeast Asian affairs and creating a pathway for renewed great power strategic dialogue.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN and partners commit to climate action and disaster resilience
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners have reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation on climate action, environmental sustainability, and disaster resilience. This aligns with Malaysia's Chairmanship theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' as stated in the ASEAN Chairman's Statement following the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) 10+1 Sessions held from July 10 to 11, 2025. The Dialogue Partners, including Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, the UK, and the US, pledged continued support for ASEAN's climate and environmental initiatives. Key areas of focus include green growth, transboundary haze pollution, marine pollution, and sustainable urban development. ASEAN highlighted the role of its specialised centres, such as the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change (ACCC) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), in driving regional sustainability efforts. The bloc also emphasised the need for stronger disaster management cooperation, particularly in early warning systems and emergency response. The meetings reviewed progress under the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2021–2025 and looked ahead to the upcoming 2026–2030 framework. ASEAN also celebrated milestones in partnerships, including the ASEAN-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand relations. Trilateral meetings with Sectoral Dialogue Partners—Brazil, Norway, Switzerland, and Türkiye—focused on strengthening collaboration with ASEAN. The full statement is available on the ASEAN website. - Bernama
UPI
11-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
Marco Rubio meets with Chinese foreign minister, calls it 'positive'
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference with Canada at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Friday. Photo by ASEAN/UPI | License Photo July 11 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Friday in his first trip to Asia since his appointment to the cabinet post. Rubio and Wang spoke for about an hour while at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rubio told reporters it was a "very constructive, positive meeting" and said there is more the two countries could work on together. He hinted at a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said the odds for that meeting are high, and "I don't have a date for you, but I think it's coming." At the meeting, Rubio has been working to try to shore up support for United States policies on trade with China. Wang has been pushing Southeast Asian nations to resist American pressure and lean on Beijing. During the meeting, Rubio emphasized the importance of keeping channels of communication open, and they agreed to explore areas of potential cooperation, while seeking to manage differences, according to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. "The Secretary emphasized the need for continued discussion on a range of bilateral issues. The Secretary also raised other issues of regional and global importance," she said in a press release. Trump has made new tariff threats on Southeast Asian nations, angering the foreign leaders at the conference, including the host country Malaysia. Japan and South Korea are also facing the threats, which cast doubt on Rubio's efforts. Wang met with a Bangladeshi official on Friday and said it was unreasonable and unethical for the U.S. to put 35% tariffs on Bangladesh, which is one of the least developed in the world. China has warned countries that they would face consequences if they worked with the U.S. to impede Chinese exports. "China has always been the most reliable stabilizing force in a turbulent world and the most reliable partner" for Southeast Asian countries, Wang said on Thursday at a meeting with the region's diplomats.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US secretary of state Rubio Marco set to meet Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov; lands in Malaysia for Asean summit, what is on agenda?
Marco Rubio to meet Sergey Lavrov in Malaysia amid rising Russia-Ukraine war US secretary of state Marco Rubio is set to meet Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday in Malaysia, on the sidelines of the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, as tensions between Washington and Moscow deepen over the conflict in Ukraine. Marco Rubio has arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, marking his first visit to the region to attend Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting, which brings together the ten Asean member states along with key diplomatic partners, including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and the United States. This will mark the second face-to-face meeting between Rubio and Lavrov, the first being in Saudi Arabia in February this year. Rubio and Lavrov's meeting comes shortly after US resumed shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine. The deliveries had been on hold pending a review by the Pentagon of domestic munitions stockpiles, a pause that was welcomed by Moscow. However, the renewed supply of arms comes amid intensifying Russian aerial assaults on Ukrainian targets, further straining relations between the two powers. President Donald Trump, speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, voiced strong criticism of President Putin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5-year-old girl needs her second heart surgery! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 'Putin is not, he's not treating human beings right,' Trump said. 'It's killing too many people. So we're sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I've approved that.' Rubio is expected to meet with other foreign ministers attending the forum, many of whom represent countries that could soon be impacted by new US trade tariffs. However State Department officials indicated that tariffs and trade will not be Rubio's primary focus during the meetings. Instead, the Trump administration hopes the talks will center on maritime safety and security in the South China Sea.
Nikkei Asia
10-07-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
ASEAN, China deepen relations amid US tariffs and global trade tensions
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, left, talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' Post-Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur on July 10. (Photo by Norman Goh) ISMI DAMAYANTI and NORMAN GOH KUALA LUMPUR -- ASEAN foreign ministers on Thursday emphasized the strength of the bloc's relationship with China as they sought to deepen ties with Beijing against the backdrop of new punitive "reciprocal" tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. In his opening remarks at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur between ASEAN foreign ministers and their Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said China is "one of ASEAN's most substantive and dynamic partnerships."
