U.S. intelligence agencies said China is developing a new generation of nuclear weapons and has reportedly carried out at least one secret explosive test.
Earlier this month, U.S. State Department officials disclosed that China conducted a nuclear test at its Lop Nur site in June 2020, despite a self-imposed ban on nuclear testing that has been in place since 1996.
Sources cited by CNN said a recent review of the test led U.S. officials to conclude that it was part of China’s push to develop next-generation nuclear weapons.
This effort reportedly includes creating missile systems capable of carrying multiple miniaturized nuclear warheads. Sources added that China also appears to be developing low-yield, tactical nuclear weapons that could be used against nearby targets in scenarios where Beijing responds to a potential U.S. defense of Taiwan.
When asked about the U.S. intelligence assessments, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told CNN that the U.S.’ allegations about China conducting a nuclear test are “entirely unfounded.”
“China opposes any attempt by the United States to fabricate excuses for resuming its own nuclear testing,” Liu added.
The U.S. officials’ disclosure comes as Washington presses Beijing to join new nuclear arms control negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China in April, and sources say the revelation may be intended to pressure Chinese leader Xi Jinping into discussions.
Earlier this month, Christopher Yeaw, assistant secretary for arms control and nonproliferation at the State Department, said Washington is preparing its own low-yield nuclear tests in response to similar activities by China and Russia.
This move comes after the expiration of the New START treaty, a U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction agreement that limits the number of deployed strategic warheads.
Yeaw added that Trump was serious when he said in October that the U.S. would resume nuclear testing. While he did not provide a specific timeline, he emphasized that any test would be conducted on a “level playing field.”
