In the 1950s, during the Cold War, US President Eisenhower oversaw the introduction of the so-called “Atoms for Peace” program. Now, China is aiming for Atoms for Influence. Public Domain Image courtesy of US Energy Department, Historian’s Office.

Exchanging atoms for influence: Competition in Southeast Asia’s nuclear market

By Lami Kim, March 10, 2022

https://thebulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Atoms-for-Peace_-150x150.jpg
https://thebulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Atoms-for-Peace_-150x150.jpg

In the 1950s, during the Cold War, US President Eisenhower oversaw the introduction of the so-called “Atoms for Peace” program. Now, China is aiming for Atoms for Influence. Public Domain Image courtesy of US Energy Department, Historian’s Office.

Loading...

References Arima, J. 2020. “Indonesia and Philippines are Smart to Make Nuclear Power Plans.” Nikkei Asia, July 12. https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Indonesia-and-Philippines-are-smart-to-make-nuclear-power-plans. ASEAN Centre for Energy. 2018. “Pre-Feasibility Study on the Establishment of Nuclear Power Plant in ASEAN.” ASEAN Centre for Energy https://aseanenergy.org/pre-feasibility-study-on-the-establishment-of-nuclear-power-plant-in-asean. China National Nuclear Corporation. 2021. “World’s First HTR-PM Nuclear Power Plant Connected to Grid,” December 20.  https://en.cnnc.com.cn/2021-12/20/c_692103.htm. Cruz, E. 2020. “Philippines Takes ‘Major Step’ toward Using Nuclear Power.” Reuters, July 29. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-energy-nuclear/philippines-takes-major-step-toward-using-nuclear-power-idUSKCN24U14E. Glosserman, B. 2020. “In the Competition for Southeast Asia Influence, Japan is the Sleeper.” The Japan Times, January 22. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/01/22/commentary/japan-commentary/competition-southeast-asia-influence-japan-sleeper/. Gordon, J.T. 2020. “International co-financing of nuclear reactors between the United States and its allies.” Atlantic Council, January 9. Hartcher, P. 2021. “Australia Paid a High Price for Unsatisfying Report into Global Tragedy.” Sydney Morning Herald. April 6. https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-paid-a-high-price-for-unsatisfying-report-into-global-tragedy-20210405-p57gke.html. Hibbs, M. 2018. The Future of Nuclear Power in China. Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 2022. “Power Reactor Information System.” https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/home.aspx. International Energy Association. 2019. “Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2019: Comprehensive review of a region on the rise.” World Energy Outlook Special Report, Fourth Edition. October. https://www.iea.org/reports/southeast-asia-energy-outlook-2019. Kim, JJ, Kang, C. and Ham GH. 2021.“Fundamentals of South Korean Public Opinion on Foreign Policy and National Security,” September 13. https://en.asaninst.org/contents/fundamentals-of-south-korean-public-opinion-on-foreign-policy-and-national-security. Lam, JCK; Cheung, LYL; Han, Y; and Wang, SS. 2018. “China’s Response to Nuclear Safety Post-Fukushima: Genuine or Rhetoric?” Cambridge Working Paper in Economics, November 5. Lee, S. 2013. “The Weakening of the Competitiveness Realized.” Chosun Ibo, April 20. http://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/04/05/2013040501361.html. McGoldrick, F., and Kim, D. 2013. “Decision Time: US- South Korea Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation” Korea Economic Institute of America, March 13. http://www.keia.org/publication/decision-time-us-south-korea-peaceful-nuclear-cooperation. Minh, A. 2020. “Vietnam Advised to Restart Nuclear Energy Program.” VnExpress International, September 6. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/industries/vietnam-advised-to-restart-nuclear-energy-program-4157727.html. Ng, E. 2013. “China Nuclear Plant Delay Raises Safety Concern.” South China Morning Post, October 7.  https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1325973/china-nuclear-plant-delay-raises-safety-concern. Patey, L. 2021. “China Is an Economic Bully—and Weaker Than It Looks.” Foreign Policy, January 4.https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/04/china-is-an-economic-bully-and-weaker-than-it-looks/. Pew Research Center. 2015. “Asians’ View of Each Other.” September 2. www.pewresearch.org/global/2015/09/02/how-asia-pacific-publics-see-each-other-and-their-national-leaders/asia-heat-map. Safrina, Rika. 2018. “Pre-Feasibility Study on the Establishment of Nuclear Power Plant in ASEAN.” ASEAN Centre for Energy. https://aseanenergy.org/pre-feasibility-study-on-the-establishment-of-nuclear-power-plant-in-asean/. Serapio, M., and Dela Cruz, E. 2018. “In Power Hungry Philippines, Some Advocate a Nuclear Revival.” Reuters, May 22. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-nuclear/in-power-hungry-philippines-some-advocate-a-nuclear-revival-idUSKCN1IN34C. Reuters, 2017. “Most South Koreans Doubt the North Will Start a War: Poll,” September 8. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-poll/most-southkoreans- doubt-the-north-will-start-a-war-poll-idUSKCN1BJ0HF. Reuters. 2021. “China Completes Outer Dome on Overseas Hualong One Reactor in Pakistan,” June 18. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-nuclearpower-pakistan/china-completes-outer-dome-on-overseas-hualong-one-reactor-in-pakistan-idUSKCN1TK047. Seah, S; Ha, HT; Martinus, M; Thao, PTP. 2021. “The State of Southeast Asia: 2021 Survey Report.” ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Tipakson, M. 2020. “Nuclear Power Trend in Southeast Asia and Its Contested Discourses on Climate Change.” Heinrich Böll Foundation-Southeast Asia Regional Office, November 9. https://th.boell.org/en/2020/11/09/nuclear-power-trend-southeast-asia. World Bank. 2021. “Total Reserves Minus Gold.” https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FI.RES.XGLD.CD?name_desc=false. World Nuclear Association. 2021a. “Nuclear Power in Indonesia.” World Nuclear Association, January. https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/indonesia.aspx. World Nuclear Association. 2021b. “Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries: New Nuclear Build Countries.” World Nuclear Association, March 2021. https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/others/emerging-nuclear-energy-countries.aspx. World Nuclear News. 2021. “Second Chinese Hualong One achieves criticality,” December 13. https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Second-Chinese-Hualong-One-achieves-first-critical. Xuecun, M. “Beware of China’s Safety Record.” New York Times, November 25.  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/opinion/beware-of-chinas-safety-record.html.

Together, we make the world safer.

The Bulletin elevates expert voices above the noise. But as an independent nonprofit organization, our operations depend on the support of readers like you. Help us continue to deliver quality journalism that holds leaders accountable. Your support of our work at any level is important. In return, we promise our coverage will be understandable, influential, vigilant, solution-oriented, and fair-minded. Together we can make a difference.


Get alerts about this thread
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments