China has publicly stated its firm support for establishing a Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone and expressed its willingness to take the lead in signing the related treaty.
China says it is willing to take lead in signing Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty.

FactVerify
Source: factverify.com
What the Evidence Shows
The claim that China says it is willing to take the lead in signing the Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty is supported by multiple recent news reports and official statements. According to sources such as US News, Anadolu Agency, The Print, and the official Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, China has reiterated its firm support for the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, China has explicitly expressed readiness to take the lead in signing the protocol to this treaty. This indicates a proactive stance by China in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in the region. The consistency across various reputable news outlets and an official government source confirms the accuracy of the claim.
There is no contradictory information found in the search results that would dispute China's stated position.