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China Commits to Sign Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty

The pledge comes with ASEAN ministers drafting a tariff-response statement, backed by high-level visits from the United States and Russia

Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan chairs the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/Pool
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is attending the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur and is likely to meet US State Secretary Marco Rubio on the sidelines there.
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Overview

  • China has pledged to sign the SEANWFZ protocol once official documentation is finalized, marking its first formal commitment to the treaty
  • ASEAN’s draft communique is set to express concern over US tariffs scheduled to begin August 1, including duties up to 40 percent on several member states
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting regional counterparts to rebuild confidence and address economic uncertainties caused by President Trump’s tariff strategy
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is promoting Moscow’s vision of a multipolar world order during parallel talks at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
  • ASEAN nations are intensifying diplomatic engagement with global powers as they seek to diversify trade partnerships and reinforce regional security norms