Washington needs Beijing to affix a brand new nuclear weapons treaty after expiration of the New START accord between the US and Russia.
Printed On 7 Feb 2026
A world monitor mentioned it has seen no proof to assist the declare by a senior United States official who accused China of finishing up a collection of clandestine nuclear exams in 2020 and concealing actions that violated nuclear check ban treaties.
US Underneath Secretary of State for Arms Management and Worldwide Safety Thomas DiNanno made the assertions about China at a United Nations disarmament convention in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, simply days after a nuclear treaty with Russia expired.
Really useful Tales
record of three objectsfinish of record
“I can reveal that the US authorities is conscious that China has performed nuclear explosive exams, together with getting ready for exams with designated yields within the a whole lot of tonnes,” DiNanno mentioned on the convention.
China’s navy “sought to hide testing by obfuscating the nuclear explosions as a result of it recognised these exams violate check ban commitments,” he mentioned.
“China performed one such yield-producing nuclear check on June 22 of 2020,” he mentioned.
DiNanno additionally made his allegations on social media in a collection of posts, making the case for “new structure” in nuclear weapons management agreements following the expiration of the New START treaty with Russia this week.
“New START was signed in 2010 and its limits on warheads and launchers are now not related in 2026 when one nuclear energy is increasing its arsenal at a scale and tempo not seen in over half a century and one other continues to keep up and develop an unlimited vary of nuclear programs unconstrained by New START’s phrases,” he mentioned.
Robert Floyd, government secretary of the Complete Nuclear-Take a look at-Ban Treaty Group, mentioned in a press release on Friday that the physique’s monitoring system “didn’t detect any occasion according to the traits of a nuclear weapon check explosion” on the time of the alleged Chinese language check, including that that evaluation stays unchanged after additional detailed analyses.
China’s ambassador on nuclear disarmament, Shen Jian, didn’t straight tackle DiNanno’s cost on the convention however mentioned Beijing had at all times acted prudently and responsibly on nuclear points whereas the US had “continued to distort and smear China’s nationwide defence capabilities in its statements”.
“We firmly oppose this false narrative and reject the US’s unfounded accusations,” Shen mentioned.
“In truth, the US’s collection of adverse actions within the discipline of nuclear arms management are the largest supply of threat to worldwide safety,” he mentioned.
Afterward social media, Shen mentioned, “China has at all times honored its dedication to the moratorium on nuclear testing”.
Diplomats on the convention mentioned the US allegations have been new and regarding.
China, just like the US, has signed however not ratified the Complete Nuclear Take a look at Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans explosive nuclear exams. Russia signed and ratified it, however withdrew its ratification in 2023.
US President Donald Trump has beforehand instructed the US navy to arrange for the resumption of nuclear exams, stating that different nations are conducting them with out providing particulars.
The US president mentioned on October 31 that Washington would begin testing nuclear weapons “on an equal foundation” with Moscow and Beijing, however with out elaborating or explaining what sort of nuclear testing he wished to renew.
He has additionally mentioned that he would really like China to be concerned in any future nuclear treaty, however authorities in Beijing have proven little curiosity in his proposal.
