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The United States has publicly accused China of significantly expanding its nuclear arsenal, claiming Beijing could have the fissile material to support over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. The remarks came amid discussions on the expiration of the New START treaty, the last arms control agreement limiting deployed nuclear weapons between the US and Russia.
US Perspective:
Christopher Yeaw, US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, stated at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament that China’s nuclear buildup is “rapid, opaque, and deliberate”, without transparency or clear intentions. He also criticized New START as outdated, saying it did not account for China’s expansion. The US claims that some of China’s actions include secret nuclear tests, citing a low-yield underground explosion in 2020.
Chinese Response:
China’s ambassador, Shen Jian, rejected the allegations, calling them “distortions and smears” of China’s nuclear policy. He emphasized that China is not seeking a nuclear arms race and that its arsenal is far smaller than that of the US and Russia. Shen also criticized the idea of including China in trilateral arms talks, saying it is unfair and unrealistic.
The New START treaty expired on February 5, marking the first time in decades without formal limits on the world’s most destructive weapons.
Russia and the US each maintain over 5,000 nuclear weapons, though New START limited deployed warheads to 1,550.
Experts warn that the lapse could spark a new arms race, especially given tensions between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow.
While accusations fly, the US insists it seeks a “better agreement” that includes China to promote a world with fewer nuclear weapons. Preparatory talks with China have already taken place in Washington, with a substantive meeting scheduled in Geneva.
The standoff highlights the rising nuclear tensions in a world grappling with old and new strategic challenges, where diplomacy and verification mechanisms are now more critical than ever.
