The United States has accused China of rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and conducting secret nuclear tests, following the expiry of the New START treaty on 5 February 2026.
Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Christopher Yeaw, US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said China’s nuclear weapons buildup was “rapid and opaque” and claimed Beijing may have conducted a low-yield underground test in 2020.
China’s ambassador, Shen Jian, rejected the allegations, calling them “groundless” and denying that Beijing is engaged in a nuclear arms race.
Key developments:
• New START limited the US and Russia to 1,550 deployed warheads each.
• The US and Russia each hold over 5,000 nuclear weapons, according to ICAN.
• Washington alleges China is on track for 1,000 warheads by 2030.
• US officials say preparatory talks with China have begun.
The treaty’s expiry leaves no binding limits on the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, raising renewed arms control concerns.
ℹ️ The Guardian
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