Joint Simulation Encourages U.S.-Chinese Cooperation to Address Nuclear Crises

On April 25, 2017, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and the
China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) jointly
organized a scenario-based, table-top simulation focused on how China and the
United States could strengthen cooperation to address potential nuclear crises.
Held in Washington, this event was co-chaired by former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn,
NTI’s co-chairman, and CICIR Vice President Feng Zhongping.  

The day’s discussions were structured around a scenario in which
China and the United States worked together to address a growing crisis in
South Asia. The scenario was developed to highlight the key issues that U.S.
and Chinese officials would face in this type of incident. After the
simulation, participants agreed that the scenario-based discussion helped them
to better understand the key questions and challenges both countries would
confront in the event of an actual nuclear crisis.

At the conclusion of the day’s discussions, the participants
agreed on the importance of continuing and strengthening U.S.-China
cooperation, both together and with other countries, to prevent the escalation
of potentially dangerous situations. In addition, the participants agreed to
work together to identify specific actions that the Chinese and U.S.
governments can take to enhance cooperation.

Participants on the U.S. side included former U.S. government
officials and other experts; on the Chinese side, they included experts and
officials with background in security.   

NTI and CICIR will ensure that senior policy makers in both
countries are informed of the lessons and recommendations from the day’s
discussions, as well as the proposals for enhanced cooperation.  NTI and
CICIR also plan to continue their work to identify the benefits and mechanisms
to strengthen U.S.-China cooperation in nuclear security.

China
Institutes of Contemporary International Relations
Opened to the public in 1980, China Institutes of Contemporary International
Relations is the primary government-sponsored think-tank specializing in
national and regional studies, relations between China and other countries,
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau-related issues and global strategic as well as
political, economic and security studies.

The Nuclear
Threat Initiative
The Nuclear Threat Initiative works to protect our lives, livelihoods,
environment and quality of life now and for future generations from the growing
risk of catastrophic attacks from weapons of mass destruction and disruption
(WMDD)—nuclear, biological, radiological, chemical and cyber. Founded in 2001
by former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and philanthropist Ted Turner, NTI is guided by
a prestigious, international board of directors. Joan Rohlfing serves as
president.