The United States accused China of secretly testing nuclear weapons in 2020, calling for a broader arms treaty including Beijing. The announcement came at a global disarmament conference in Geneva, a day after the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia expired. Washington urged the need for a new agreement as China rapidly expands its nuclear arsenal.
U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno claimed China concealed “yield-producing tests” using methods to evade seismic monitoring. He warned that China could have more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. DiNanno stressed that a bilateral treaty only with Russia is no longer sufficient in the modern nuclear landscape.
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China rejected the accusations, calling them “false narratives” and urging the U.S. to abandon Cold War thinking. Chinese ambassador Shen Jian insisted Beijing acts responsibly on nuclear issues and would not join negotiations with Washington or Moscow at this stage. He highlighted that China’s arsenal remains far smaller than those of the U.S. and Russia.
The expiration of New START leaves the U.S. and Russia without binding limits for the first time since 1972. Experts warned the gap could trigger an arms buildup and increase the risk of miscalculation, particularly with China advancing its nuclear programs. Russia stated it is open to talks with Washington but remains prepared for all scenarios.
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Global powers including Britain and France emphasized the need for a new era of nuclear arms control. Analysts say negotiations will likely take years due to advanced weapon systems and geopolitical tensions. The absence of an agreement has sparked concerns over security in regions like the Middle East, Ukraine, and East Asia.