Taiwan
Spotlight
Since losing mainland China to the Chinese Communist Party, the Republic of China (better known as Taiwan) has remained a significant flashpoint in East Asia. While Taiwan pursued—and abandoned—nuclear weapons programs in the past, its current relationship to nonproliferation regimes remains ambiguous, as most countries do not recognize its sovereignty.
See Taiwan's preformance in:
Region East Asia and the Pacific
3 Nuclear power reactors in operation
2014 Renewed agreement with US on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation
1950s-1988 Attempted to develop nuclear weapons
Nuclear
- Taiwan’s nuclear plants are subject to IAEA inspections
- Signed NPT in 1968 as the Republic of China; membership transferred to People’s Republic of China in 1971
- Signed an accord with China in 2011 on nuclear safety and emergency reporting
Tutorial on Nuclear 101
Biological
- Taiwanese officials have denied past accusations that it is developing biological weapons
- Possesses a large biochemical industry with dual-use potential
Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation
NTI Tutorials
Missile
- Has historically focused on developing antiship cruise missiles and short range ballistic missiles (SRBMs)
- International restrictions on Taiwan have fueled its domestic development of new missile technologies
- Plans to purchase US-made Patriot missile defense systems
Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases
China’s Growing Missile Arsenal and the Risk of a “Taiwan Missile Crisis“
Chemical
- Cannot officially join the Australia Group or Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
- Officials have denied ever developing offensive chemical weapons
Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation
NTI Tutorials
Treaties and Regimes Memberships
- NTI
- CNS
Analysis
Taiwan
Taiwan Missile Overview
Full overview of Taiwan's nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile capabilities and nonproliferation activities.
Taiwan Overview
Taiwan Submarine Capabilities
Education Center