16 December 2020
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- Is China Really Ready to Back a Nuclear Arms-Free Southeast Asia?
Is China Really Ready to Back a Nuclear Arms-Free Southeast Asia?
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.
IDSS / Online / Print
Last updated on 17/12/2020