The United States has accused China of conducting an undisclosed nuclear explosive test in 2020, raising fresh tensions over global arms control and the future of nuclear testing norms.
Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Thomas DiNanno alleged Beijing carried out a yield-producing test on 22 June 2020 and may be preparing further tests. He also claimed Russia is assisting China’s nuclear weapons development.
The remarks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision not to renew the New START nuclear arms treaty and to pursue a broader multilateral agreement including China.
Key developments:
• DiNanno alleged China conducted low-yield nuclear testing and interfered with monitoring systems.
• China maintains a voluntary nuclear testing moratorium and a “no first use” policy, according to embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu.
• U.S. officials say China could expand its arsenal to 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.
• Estimates suggest Russia holds about 4,300 warheads and the U.S. roughly 3,700.
• Nuclear dialogue between Washington and Beijing remains largely suspended.
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