The History And Actuality Of Taiwan's Nuclear Weapons Research

This thesis introduces the complicated course of Taiwan's research and development on nuclear weapons through citing solid evidences. Taking into account the international politics in the Cold War age and the security environment in Northeast Asia, the author has analyzed the great influence delete the United States has produced after World War II over the commencement of Taiwan's nuclear weapons program. In line with the current situation under development in Taiwan, the author has analyzed various elements in the technical wing of a nuclear weapons program such as nuclear fuel, human resources, and delivery vehicles of nuclear warheads. It is stated in this paper that the lack of needed technologies and operations of the international non-proliferation regime currently continue to contain Taiwan nuclear ambition. The author is inclined to conclude that although Taiwan has the potential capabilities to build nuclear weapons, it yet cannot build any nuclear weapons for combat use because of the containment of the international non-proliferation regime. Nevertheless, as the separatists on the island of Taiwan are going wild, whether Taiwan will give up its established policy not to build nuclear weapons remained to be further observed.