Joint discussion encourages US-Chinese collaboration in a potential nuclear crisis

A scenario-based discussion, centering around how the United States and the People’s Republic of China could better cooperate to address nuclear threats, was recently conducted amongst representatives from the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR).

The event was organized by former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA), who serves as co-chair of NTI, and CICIR Vice President Feng Zhongping. Participants also included former U.S. government officials, Chinese nuclear experts, and security officials from both nations.

The discussion was developed in part to highlight various issues that both the United States and China would face in a potential nuclear situation and discuss potential challenges that may arise.

As the simulation concluded, the two organizations stressed the importance of continuing cooperative efforts, both together and with other countries, to prevent any further nuclear escalation. Each side then agreed to identify potential actions their governments could take to enhance cooperation.

Following the event, both NTI and CICIR briefed their respective country’s government officials on recommendations made and proposals to enhance collaboration and nuclear security.

Founded in 2001 by Sam Nunn and philanthropist Ted Turner, NTI focuses its efforts to preventing catastrophic attacks from weapons of mass destruction from nuclear, biological, radiological, chemical, and cyber-based sources.