Taming the nuclear dragon? The prospect and potential of cross-Strait cooperation on nuclear security

After the Fukushima tragedy in March 2001, China and Taiwan have launched a series of negotiations on nuclear safety and eventually signed an agreement building a bilateral alarming and information-sharing system in October 2011. Although this agreement was criticized by the Taiwan public because of its non-binding character, it embodied three significant implications. First, this agreement represents China's willingness and demands to be better incorporated into global nuclear regimes. Second, this platform may set a foundation for smoother cross-Strait negotiation along with the environmental peace-making road map. Third, this information-sharing system may contain democratic elements and thus may contribute to opening China's policy black box to its neighbours and its own citizens.