Shao Yuqun explains that China sees stability in the Asia-Pacific as critical to its national interests and hence adopts a proactive strategy to maintain peace in the face of US-China competition and regional security challenges. She offers four recommendations for China to strengthen its role as a stabilising force in the region: avoiding over-securitisation, enhancing strategic communication with regional neighbours, continuing to support ASEAN-led multilateral mechanisms, and de-limiting the competitive aspects of US-China relations.

Kim Won-soo warns of rising nuclear risks amid geopolitical tensions and urges the five nuclear-weapon states (N-5), umbrella states, and civil society to take immediate steps to rebuild trust and bolster the global nuclear disarmament and arms control framework ahead of 2026, as the NPT regime faces a critical juncture and the New START treaty approaches expiration.

Kazuko Ito argues that Japan, as the only country to have suffered from nuclear bombing, must take a leading role in nuclear disarmament by joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) or at least becoming an observer state. Finding the Japanese government’s decision to not participate in the Third Meeting of States Parties unconvincing, she calls on Japan to align with the moral stance of hibakusha and adopt a diplomatic strategy toward the abolition of nuclear weapons.

On 20-21 March, APLN hosted a conference in Seoul as part of its project on Asia Dialogue on China-US Relations and its implications for regional stability. Twenty-five experts discussed the differing conceptions of multipolarity, the role of minilateral arrangements among regional states, and how states exercise agency to advance their interests, and influence the behaviour of China and the United States.

APLN has over 160 members from 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific.
Each week we feature their latest contributions
to global and regional security debates.