Taiwan

The Republic of China (better known as Taiwan) is 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.

Taiwan is included in NTI analysis due to its autonomous nuclear regulatory structure.

See Taiwan's performance in:

Nuclear Security Index

Nuclear
Biological
Missile
Chemical

Region East Asia and the Pacific

2 Nuclear power reactors in operation

2014 Renewed agreement with US on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation

1,200-2,000 km Range of the Yun Feng supersonic cruise missile

Nuclear

Nuclear plants subject to IAEA inspections
Cannot independently join Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, but unilaterally adheres to its provisions
Signed an accord with China in 2011 on nuclear safety and emergency reporting

Taiwan Submarine Capabilities

Fact Sheet

Taiwan Submarine Capabilities

Tutorial on Nuclear 101

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Nuclear 101

Biological

Denies past accusations of biological weapons development
Ratified the BWC in 1973 as the Republic of China; membership later transferred to People’s Republic of China
Cannot independently join BWC, but unilaterally adheres to its provisions

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation

NTI Tutorials

Interactive & Visualization

NTI Tutorials

Missile

Has historically focused on developing antiship cruise missiles and short range ballistic missiles
Yun Feng supersonic land-attack cruise missile capable of striking mainland China in production
Purchased upgraded Patriot Missiles (PAC-3) from U.S., expected deployment in 2026

Taiwan-Missile

Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases

Database

Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases

China’s Growing Missile Arsenal and the Risk of a “Taiwan Missile Crisis“

Emblem of People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (src. Wikimedia Commons)

Report

China’s Growing Missile Arsenal and the Risk of a “Taiwan Missile Crisis“

Chemical

Cannot independently join the CWC regime, but unilaterally adheres to its provisions
Officials have denied ever developing chemical weapons

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

Teaching Tool

Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation

NTI Tutorials

Interactive & Visualization

NTI Tutorials

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

See all Treaties & Regimes

Analysis

Taiwan

A Second Grip on the Nuclear Football: Rethinking Sole Authority in a Volatile World

Risky Business Jan 15, 2025

A Second Grip on the Nuclear Football: Rethinking Sole Authority in a Volatile World

At noon on January 20, 2025, thousands will gather to witness the transfer of presidential power on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. One of the most significant elements of the transfer of power will likely go almost entirely unnoticed—the transfer of the nuclear football.

Introducing Risky Business — the Refreshed NTI Blog