While its rivals, the United States and Russia, are occupied with trade and real wars, China is arming itself behind the scenes.
According to information brought to light by CNN and the Daily Mail, China is quietly developing a new generation of nuclear weapons, at the very moment when Russia is preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and the United States has turned all of its attention to negotiating an agreement with Iran, in order to prevent it from creating its own nuclear arsenal.
The escalation of tensions and threats of military strikes
At a time when the administration of Donald Trump is still wavering over carrying out a military strike, with multiple reports speaking of an increased presence at overseas bases, Iran, for its part, continues to deny that it possesses a nuclear weapons arsenal, and has mounted strong resistance to the United States regarding its right to enrich uranium.
Uranium constitutes the most common fuel used in nuclear energy, and Tehran’s insistence is intensifying global concern.
Intelligence services reveal the nuclear program at Lop Nur
As tensions between the United States and Iran escalate, American intelligence agencies are now reportedly aware of nuclear weapons development in China, according to multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN.
China conducted a secret nuclear test in June 2020 at the Lop Nur facilities.
The State Department of the United States revealed this test only this month, however its purpose as well as the reason for the delay in disclosure have not become known.
The aggressive expansion of China’s arsenal and the new strategy
Sources familiar with the 2020 test told CNN that the move was driven by China’s desire to develop next generation nuclear weapons.
American officials had previously expressed concerns that China was building a nuclear arsenal, however the new information regarding the 2020 test led to the conclusion that strong evidence exists that it is expanding it in an aggressive manner.
Although China had previously promoted the development of its nuclear weapons as a means of self defense, the test data has raised concerns within American intelligence that Beijing may be pursuing a more aggressive strategy.
The disruption of balances and accusations of nuclear dominance
The Asian superpower is currently ranked third in terms of nuclear armament, lagging significantly behind the capabilities of the United States and Russia.
However, China’s reported investment in its arsenal could mean that it may soon possess capabilities not held by either Russia or the United States, as reported by CNN.
Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, challenged the recent reports, telling CNN that the United States has distorted and defamed China’s nuclear policy.
Political manipulation and Beijing’s response to accusations
Liu Pengyu argued that this constitutes political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear dominance and avoiding the United States’ own responsibilities for nuclear disarmament. China strongly opposes such narratives, stating that American claims regarding nuclear testing are entirely baseless. At the same time, Beijing opposes any attempt by the United States to construct justifications for resuming its own nuclear tests.
Donald Trump’s order for the immediate resumption of tests
Donald Trump announced in October that he had instructed the Department of War, formerly the Department of Defense, to resume nuclear weapons testing on equal footing with China and Russia.
The president wrote on Truth Social in October that, due to the immense destructive power, he hated having to do it, but had no other choice.
He added that Russia is second and China a distant third, but that it would become equal within five years.
The online statement concluded that these tests would begin immediately.
The collapse of international treaties and mutual accusations
China, Russia, and the United States have exchanged accusations for years regarding the escalation of nuclear testing activities.
A compliance report from the State Department of the United States in 2019 accused Russia of violating a 1988 treaty concerning the elimination of intermediate and shorter range missiles.
The United States claimed that Russia violated the treaty by possessing a ground launched cruise missile (GLCM).
In response, then Secretary of State Mark Pompeo announced that the United States would suspend its treaty obligations due to Russia’s violation.
Lack of transparency and the use of concealment methods
The report also stated that China exhibited a lack of transparency in its nuclear testing activities, adding that it likely conducted multiple tests or experiments related to nuclear weapons in 2018. Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Dr Christopher Yeaw, reiterated these concerns during a public address at the Hudson Institute. Dr Christopher Yeaw stated that China used the decoupling method, a technique designed to reduce the effectiveness of seismic monitoring, in order to conceal its activities from the world.
The uncertain future of global nuclear security
Dr Christopher Yeaw confirmed that the United States was aware of the June 2020 tests and described China’s nuclear policy as opaque.
The United States, Russia, and China are parties to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty of 1996, however the United States and China never ratified it, while Russia withdrew its ratification in 2023.
The Daily Mail contacted the Pentagon and the White House for further comment regarding the CNN report.
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