A fresh U.S. allegation revives concerns about China’s secretive nuclear activities, pointing to a suspicious 2020 incident at its remote test site as evidence of potential violations of global norms on nuclear testing.
U.S. Officials Detail Hallmarks of a Covert Test
Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw, speaking at a Hudson Institute event in Washington, D.C., presented new analysis of seismic data from a station in Kazakhstan that detected a magnitude 2.75 explosion on June 22, 2020, at China’s Lop Nur test grounds in Xinjiang.
Yeaw stated: “I’ve looked at additional data since then. There is very little possibility I would say that it is anything but an explosion, a singular explosion,” and added: “It’s also entirely not consistent with an earthquake,” describing it as “what you would expect with a nuclear explosive test.”
Undersecretary Thomas DiNanno reinforced the claim, revealing: “I can reveal that the U.S. government is aware that China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons,” and specifically:
“China conducted one such yield-producing nuclear test on June 22 of 2020.” Officials accused Beijing of employing “decoupling” techniques to muffle seismic signals and conceal such activities.
China’s Denials and Pattern of Obfuscation
Beijing swiftly rejected the accusations, with embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu labeling them “political manipulation” and asserting that the U.S. is “evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities.”
China’s foreign ministry called the claims groundless and urged Washington to uphold commitments against testing.
Despite these denials, the incident fits into broader worries about China’s rapid nuclear buildup and reluctance toward transparency in arms control, especially as its arsenal expands amid limited international oversight.
Implications for Global Security and Arms Race
The revelations heighten tensions in an era of renewed great-power rivalry, complicating efforts to bring China into meaningful nuclear talks and raising questions about verification in the post-New START landscape.
U.S. concerns highlight fears that Beijing’s alleged low-yield or hidden tests could undermine deterrence stability, while critics note China’s history of opacity at Lop Nur fuels skepticism about its voluntary moratorium claims.
The allegation underscores the challenges of monitoring a regime that prioritizes secrecy in its military modernization.
