Taiwan

Spotlight

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.

Region East Asia and the Pacific

3 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 bioweapon 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 (SRBMs)
Yun Feng supersonic cruise missiles 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 offensive 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

NTI Board members Mullen, Nunn, and Moniz on “What Xi Must Tell Putin Now”

Opinion Sep 30, 2022

NTI Board members Mullen, Nunn, and Moniz on “What Xi Must Tell Putin Now”

In a new Washington Post op-ed headlined “What Xi Must Tell Putin Now,” NTI Board members Mike Mullen, Sam Nunn, and Ernest J. Moniz call on China to wield its “unique position of influence” to encourage more “rational” decision-making by Russian President Vladimir Putin.