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Convincing major powers to abide by ASEAN’s nuclear treaty is challenging
None of the recognized nuclear weapon states have signed the protocol to ASEAN's nuclear weapon free zone treaty.
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A United States nuclear-powered submarine takes part in military exercises 130 kilometers off Cartagena, Colombia, on Feb. 28. (AFP/Colombian National Navy)
W
hile China’s expressed intent to sign the protocol for ASEAN’s nuclear weapon free zone treaty should be supported, convincing other nuclear weapon states to follow suit may be a challenge, experts have said.
In 1995, 10 ASEAN member states signed the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ) or the Bangkok Treaty, designating the region as one free of nuclear weapons.
The treaty also has a protocol open to signature by recognized nuclear weapon states China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, but none have signed the protocol, objecting to the inclusion of continental shelves and exclusive economic zones in the nuclear weapon free zone.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the unity and centrality of ASEAN was important in making sure it continued to be the locomotive for regional peace and stability.
“Under the [pillar] of ASEAN Matters, we continue to discuss some of the issues that are still our priorities, [including] the signing of the SEANWFZ Protocol by the Nuclear Weapon States, the process of which was stalled in 2012,” Retno told the press in a briefing on Wednesday.
So far, only China has asserted its willingness to sign the SEANWFZ Protocol, expressed during a recent meeting of the Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang with the ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
“China is ready to be the first to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, and work with ASEAN to advocate solidarity and win-win results and jointly safeguard regional security and stability,” Qin Gang said on March 27, according to a readout on China’s Foreign Ministry website.
