Russia, China Stands for Nuclear-free Zone in Southeast AsiaChina and Russia Friday expressed their support for the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia after their representatives attended an annual meeting between ASEAN and its dialogue partners.Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister said at a press conference at the end of the ASEAN + Dialogue Partners meeting that China backs ASEAN's efforts to establish a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone. He added that China supports ASEAN in taking all measures conducive to regional peace and stability, and China is the first country of the world five major nuclear powers to have reached agreement with ASEAN on the issue. Wang said China is willing to work with other countries to make progress on the matter so that China can sign the Protocol of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone as soon as possible. Russian Foreign Minister I.S. Ivanov also said at the press conference that Moscow supports the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free one in regions,especially in the Southeast Asian region. Russia stands for the purposes and principles of the treaty for a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia, Ivanov said. He said Russia has held consultations with ASEAN countries on related issues on the matter and hopes to achieve consensus on the implementation of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. China and Russia are among the 10 dialogue partners of ASEAN. Both sides have conducted extensive discussion on a wide range of issues including regional security this week in Hanoi. |
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