Is China Really Ready to Back a Nuclear Arms-Free Southeast Asia?

South China Morning Post

16 December 2020

China has signalled that it is ready to work with its neighbours to create a nuclear weapons-free zone in Southeast Asia, after more than two decades of objections to a regional agreement. But observers said the move was part of China’s growing rivalry with the United States and an attempt to expand its influence in the region. Dr Collin Koh, a Research Fellow at the maritime security programme with RSIS in Singapore, said that while Beijing might want to be seen as a foremost partner to ASEAN and prompt Washington to sign up, the lack of trust between China and ASEAN members would be much harder to overcome.

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Last updated on 17/12/2020