China, Russia To Sign SEANWFZ Treaty, United States Reviewing

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Bernama) -- China and Russia have agreed to become signatories to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), while the United States is currently reviewing the treaty before signing, Malaysian Foreign Minister  Mohamad Hasan said. 

He said the involvement of superpowers in the treaty would help preserve Southeast Asia as a region of peace, free of nuclear weapons.

“We have established Southeast Asia as a peaceful region and next week, the foreign ministers (of relevant countries) will meet,” he said at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s engagement session with the Malaysian diaspora in Italy held in Rome on Tuesday.

The session was held in conjunction with the prime minister’s three-day working visit to Italy. A video recording of the session was shared with Bernama on Wednesday.

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 (NWS) 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.

 Malaysia will host the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (58th AMM) and Related Meetings, which will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11.

Malaysia took over the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1, 2025, from Laos with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, reflecting the country’s commitment to fostering a united and prosperous ASEAN.

This is Malaysia’s fifth ASEAN Chairmanship after having assumed the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

-- BERNAMA