China has stated its intention to sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, putting the United States in a difficult position.

China has given the United States a challenge! China has stated that it will take the lead in signing, whether the United States follows or not! This is a test of character! On July 10, Malaysian media quoted the Malaysian Foreign Minister as saying that China will sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone once all documents are ready. Foreign media reported that during the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held this morning, Wang Yi once again clearly expressed this position.

Evidently, China's statement is a smart move, and also a test of character. Why do we say so? What does signing the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone mean? It means that we will not transfer nuclear weapons technology to any Southeast Asian country, nor will we deploy nuclear weapons in Southeast Asian countries. Now, both the United States and regional countries face a choice.

For the United States, if we promote regional nuclear disarmament, will the United States follow or not? If the United States does not sign, this means that the United States has an irresponsible attitude towards nuclear proliferation. This cannot help but raise doubts about whether the United States wants to deploy nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia against us, dragging Southeast Asian countries into the risk of nuclear confrontation. For regional countries, if they sign, they must clearly commit not to develop nuclear weapons.

If they do not sign, their motives will be questionable. Obviously, our move is a smart one. It represents that we are a responsible nuclear-armed country, and will not engage in any nuclear proliferation activities. It also presents a difficult question for the United States. Obviously, by building Southeast Asia into a nuclear-free zone, avoiding the deployment of nuclear weapons in Southeast Asia, and preventing a nuclear crisis in Southeast Asia, we have made a good move.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837247876971658/

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