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Country Profile 5: Taiwan
By Yana Feldman and Jack Boureston
FirstWatch International (FWI)
Overview
Taiwan’s internal debate about nuclear weapon acquisition reflects its preoccupation with a powerful and nuclear armed adversary across the Taiwan Strait--China. It is widely accepted that the first Chinese nuclear test in 1964 sparked a Taiwanese weapons programme, and for the next several decades it was suspected that Taiwan, with an advanced nuclear infrastructure, might develop nuclear weapons.
Several issues may have restrained Taiwan’s drive toward weapons’ development. The possibility of straining relations with the United States, which would lead to the end of U.S. assistance to Taiwan’s civilian nuclear program, or its supply of conventional weapons, cautioned the Taiwanese leadership from proceeding too recklessly or aggressively. There was the internal apprehension of using nuclear weapons to retaliate against “its own” people in case of an attack by China. Lastly, there was the geographical consideration, whether, having such a small territory, there would be any response capability left, should China attack.
Presently it appears that Taiwan has abandoned nuclear arms development. On 27 June 2003 President Chen Shui-bian, motivated by the strong domestic anti-nuclear opposition, announced that his government will hold a referendum on the future of nuclear energy in Taiwan before the next elections.