In another important move in this direction, Beijing has already renewed its intention to sign the protocol of the 1995 Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) as soon as possible. China was the first country to accede to the Asean Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2003. Two years later, it also expressed an intention to be the first nuclear power to sign up to SEANWFZ. But Asean was lukewarm towards Beijing's enthusiasm due to the uncertainties surrounding the South China Sea conflict.