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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 50782, member: 636"]
China plans to sign a major nuclear weapons ban covering Southeast Asia according to Malaysia's top diplomat. The country will put pen to paper as soon as all the paperwork gets sorted out. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan made the announcement while meeting with other regional officials. He told reporters that China promised to sign the deal without any conditions or changes. The move would make China the first major nuclear power to officially back the regional ban.

The Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone has been running since 1997 and covers all member countries. The treaty stops nations from using nuclear technology for anything except peaceful purposes like generating electricity. Regional leaders want all the big nuclear powers to join the agreement including America, Britain, Russia and France. The ban would cover not just land areas but also ocean zones and underwater territories belonging to member countries. Officials believe getting China on board first could encourage other nuclear powers to follow suit.

China's foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment about the announcement. Last week Chinese officials said Beijing strongly supported the treaty and wanted to lead the way by signing first. The regional group has been pushing for years to get the major nuclear powers to formally commit to the weapons ban. Getting China to sign represents a major breakthrough for the organization's long-term goals.
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