REDUCING THE DANGER OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM IN CHINA

Since the 9/11attacks, China has significantly improved its nuclear security system, with a focus switching from the traditional “guns, gates, guards” approach to an effective mixed approach, combining personnel with modern techniques. Chinese president Hu Jintao emphasized at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit that, “the threat of nuclear terrorism cannot be overlooked. And it is a long and arduous task to effectively manage the security and safety risks in the development and utilization of nuclear energy.” This paper will first describe the Chinese nuclear experts and officials’ perspectives on the nuclear terrorism threat. Second, this paper will explore the security risks to China’s nuclear facilities and materials. Finally, this paper will recommend steps to reduce the danger of nuclear terrorism in China. Since the 9/11 attacks, China has strengthened its system of physical protection for nuclear facilities and has significantly improved its MPC&A system. The major progresses include, a security approach based on a design basis threat (DBT); application of modern concepts of physical protection, based on systems-engineering approaches to analyzing vulnerabilities and designing defenses to address them; the use of modern physical protection, material control, and material accounting technologies; requirements for in-depth vulnerability assessments of security systems; and improvements to the organization of nuclear security and guard force training and equipment on the part of facility operators. While China has substantially advanced its nuclear security, there is still room for improvement.1