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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

Region East Asia and the Pacific

1 Nuclear power reactor 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 the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), but unilaterally adheres to its provisions
Signed an accord with China in 2011 on nuclear safety and emergency reporting

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

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

Chemical

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