The United States has revealed new details about a Chinese underground nuclear test that it claims happened nearly six years ago. The disclosure comes as tensions rise over global nuclear arsenals following the expiration of the last major nuclear arms pact between the United States and Russia. US officials are now urging countries around the world to press both China and Russia to be more open and take stronger steps toward nuclear disarmament.
Alarm Raised as US Reveals Details of Alleged Chinese Nuclear Test
A US official specializing in arms control said that China has been rapidly expanding its nuclear weapons without limits or clear transparency. The official noted that the expired New START treaty did not cover all types of nuclear weapons, particularly Russia’s smaller nonstrategic warheads. It also did not account for China’s quickly growing nuclear stockpile.
At an international conference, the official described China’s nuclear buildup as deliberate and massive. He warned that China could reach parity with other major nuclear powers within the next four to five years.
China, however, denies conducting any nuclear tests and has refused to accept limits on its nuclear arsenal. While its stockpile is still smaller than that of the US or Russia, it is expanding at a fast pace.
Evidence and Allegations
The US official cited an explosion at the Lop Nur underground site in western China on June 22, 2020. Seismic data collected from a monitoring station in Kazakhstan detected a magnitude 2.75 event. Experts analyzing the signals said it looked like a controlled explosion rather than a natural earthquake or mining accident. The official said that the event was “a probable explosion based upon comparisons between historic explosions and earthquakes.”
US officials also criticized China for making it difficult for the international community to monitor its testing activities. During previous talks, China refused to allow seismic monitoring stations near Lop Nur, a precaution that the US allows near its own test sites in Nevada.
Pentagon warns China has loaded over 100 ICBMs as nuclear expansion accelerates
China’s ambassador to the conference strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “unfounded” and accusing the US of trying to resume its own nuclear testing under a pretext. China emphasized that it has adhered to international treaties and has not conducted any nuclear tests in violation of global agreements.
Experts noted that if China were found to have conducted nuclear explosive tests, it would harm the country’s reputation as a responsible nuclear power. It could also lead to discussions in the US about resuming its own nuclear tests to maintain the reliability of its weapons.
Global Diplomacy and Calls for Action
A US official addressing a UN-backed body emphasized the need for greater transparency and international cooperation on nuclear weapons. He met with Russian representatives and planned talks with China and other nations, urging the global community to push China and Russia to engage meaningfully in nuclear disarmament discussions.
The US has also been consulting other nuclear-armed countries, including France and Britain, to explore diplomatic solutions. The official noted that China’s nuclear stockpile has grown from a few hundred in 2020 to over 600 today and could exceed 1,000 by 2030. He stressed that the US seeks fairness in monitoring and testing standards, without returning to large-scale atmospheric tests of the past.
China quietly deploys over 100 DF-31 nuclear missiles capable of striking the U.S. and U.K.
China, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and denied ever violating it. The Chinese ambassador said it is unfair to demand China join three-way arms control talks with the US and Russia, given differences in arsenal size and strategic challenges.
About 65 countries attended the conference to discuss nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. The US called on all participants to encourage transparency and responsibility. The allegations of a Chinese nuclear test and the diplomatic response highlight growing concerns about global nuclear stability as major powers expand their arsenals and existing treaties lapse.