Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday cast doubt on China’s credibility in pushing for a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia, saying the offer rings hollow without concrete steps toward disarmament and transparency.

“Mag-denuclearize muna sila o magpa-inspeksyon sila sa IAEA at multinational inspectors para makita natin kung talagang sinsero sila (They should denuclearize first or open themselves to inspection by the IAEA and multinational inspectors so we can see if they're really sincere),” Teodoro told reporters, referencing the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The defense chief stressed that only then “we assess whether their intentions are sincere.”

Teodoro’s remarks come in response to a Chinese foreign ministry statement expressing Beijing’s readiness to spearhead the implementation of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ).

“We stand ready to stay in communication with ASEAN countries on this matter,” Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on Thursday, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc.

The treaty, signed in 1995 by ASEAN member states, remains unsigned by the world’s major nuclear powers.

While China has publicly voiced support for the treaty, Teodoro cited Beijing’s historical resistance to global scrutiny — pointing to its handling of COVID-19 investigations — as a reason for caution.

Earlier this week, Malaysia announced that both China and Russia have signaled a willingness to join SEANWFZ.

The United States, meanwhile, is still reviewing the terms of the agreement, according to a report by Malaysian state media.

Mao Ning said that Beijing is “ready to stay in communication with ASEAN countries” on the issue and reiterated support for a nuclear-free region.

As of posting, the Chinese Embassy in Manila has not responded to requests for comment on Teodoro’s statement.