Taiwan Nuclear Weapons Dispute: Taiwan was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons in 1988, but then a senior nuclear engineer, Chang Hsen-Yay, exposed this secret plan to the US. With this, Taiwan was forced to close his almost complete nuclear program.
Chang’s move was considered as “betrayal” in Taiwan, as many people believed that it could help maintain balance with China. Thirty years later, critics claim that this revelation weakened Taiwan against a possible Chinese invasion.
Chang Hsen-Yay’s side
81-year-old Chang Hsen-Yayi says he did not betray Taiwan. In an interview to CNN, he said, “I decided to give information to CIA as I felt that it was right for the people of Taiwan.” He also said that both Chinese and Taiwanese are of the same origin, so making nuclear weapons was unnecessary.
Taiwan’s nuclear program and its start
In 1964, China conducted its first nuclear test. In 1966, Taiwan leader Chiang Kai-Shek started the Gupta Nuclear Weapon Program. Actually, the project was run by the Ministry of Defense and Changshan Science Research Institute. Chang Hsen-Yay, who was the captain of an army, joined the project and took nuclear training in the US. While trained at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessi, he was first approached by CIA.
Contact and disclosure with CIA
CIA approached for the first time in 1969-70, but Chang Hsen-Yi did not show interest then.
During his visit to America in 1980, CIA again approached, and this time he agreed to talk.
In 1984, he became the official informer of CIA.
In January 1988, he informed the US about Taiwan’s nuclear plan.
CIA took Chang Hsen-Yay, his wife and three children out of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s response
The US pressured Taiwan to end the nuclear program. Chang Hasen-Yay was declared a wanted criminal in Taiwan and never returned to his country again. He said that he was not sure whether Taiwan would welcome him or not.
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