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.
Now, Indonesia under President Joko Widodo has picked up the issue once again by offering to facilitate China's accession to the SEANWFZ. From Jakarta's point of view, this would be an immediate step to reducing the trust deficits with China.
At the Asean annual meeting, Indonesia presented a non-paper to materialise Beijing's plan. It is still unclear whether China has dropped its earlier conditions over its sovereignty. The no-nuke treaty would impact greatly on China due to its close proximity to the zone and the importance of sea-lane communications to its economic lifelines. Beijing has voiced concern that its exclusive economic zones and continental shelves might be affected. In addition, Indonesia also proposed the establishment of hotlines at the top level between the governments of Asean and China to address emergencies and reduce tension whenever necessary in the South China Sea.