Sat Feb 07 03:14:09 UTC 2026: ### US Accuses China of Nuclear Testing, Pushing for New Arms Treaty

The Story:

The United States, through Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno, has accused China of conducting clandestine nuclear tests in 2020, alleging violations of nuclear test ban commitments. These accusations surfaced at a United Nations disarmament conference in Geneva, Switzerland, shortly after the expiration of the New START treaty with Russia. DiNanno’s statements included specific claims of yield-producing tests, which China has vehemently denied. This move comes as the US pushes for a new nuclear weapons treaty that includes China, a proposal Beijing has shown little interest in.

Key Points:

  • The US accuses China of conducting nuclear explosive tests in 2020, including tests with yields in the hundreds of tonnes.
  • The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) stated that its monitoring system detected no events consistent with nuclear weapon test explosions.
  • China’s ambassador on nuclear disarmament, Shen Jian, refuted the US accusations and emphasized China’s commitment to the moratorium on nuclear testing.
  • The US is advocating for a new nuclear weapons treaty to include China, following the expiration of the New START treaty with Russia.
  • The US President (Donald Trump) previously instructed the US military to prepare for the resumption of nuclear tests.
  • The US President has previously stated that Washington would start testing nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with Moscow and Beijing, without providing more details.

Critical Analysis:

The timing of these accusations, immediately following the expiration of the New START treaty, suggests a deliberate strategy by the US to pressure China into participating in a new arms control framework. The accusations, even if unsubstantiated by international monitors, serve to publicly highlight perceived Chinese non-compliance and justify the US’s call for a revised treaty structure. The earlier statement of Donald Trump to resume nuclear testing further complicates the scenario.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US is escalating its diplomatic pressure on China regarding nuclear arms control.
  • The credibility of US claims is being questioned by international monitoring organizations.
  • The future of nuclear arms control is uncertain, given the conflicting positions of major global powers.
  • The United States is trying to build a security architecture following the expiration of the New START treaty that includes limits to the amount of weapons that China can develop.

Impact Analysis:

The US accusations against China could potentially lead to:
* Increased Tensions: Worsening relations between the US and China, potentially affecting other areas of cooperation.
* Arms Race Acceleration: Prompting China to further accelerate its nuclear arsenal development in response to perceived threats and lack of trust.
* Weakened Non-Proliferation Efforts: Undermining the global non-proliferation regime if the US is perceived to be selectively applying accusations and standards.
* A new era of arms control: In which China and the United States sign a new treaty to limit the future production of nuclear weapons.

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