US State Department officials have provided more details on their claim that China conducted a secret nuclear weapons test in 2020. The alleged test was described as 'a singular explosion' and was not disclosed by China. The US has confirmed it will return to nuclear testing.
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw said on Tuesday at an event hosted by the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute, “As the president has said, the United States will return to testing on an ‘equal basis’.” This came a day after Trump floated his idea for an “improved” three-way deal, likely involving the US, Russia, and China.
US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno stated at a conference in Geneva that China had failed to disclose a 2020 nuclear test. Officials described the alleged test as “a singular explosion,” with connections to sites like Lop Nur mentioned in related contexts, though no further technical details were provided.
The claim raises concerns over nuclear nonproliferation. The US plans to resume nuclear testing for the first time in 33 years, following Trump's order to the military. Key terms include the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, and US-China-Russia relations.
The Chinese Embassy has not yet responded to these allegations. The event highlights tensions in arms control between the US and China.
