China Advances Development of Next-Generation Nuclear Arsenal in Stealthy Progress

In the midst of heightened diplomatic efforts by the United States to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, China is allegedly advancing its own nuclear capabilities under the radar. While global attention remains fixated on the US-Iran negotiations, China appears to be quietly progressing with a new generation of nuclear weaponry.

The spotlight has mainly been on the dialogue between the US and Iran, with former President Donald Trump suggesting potential military action to nudge Iranian leaders back to the negotiating table. This has been a recurring theme as the Trump administration frequently hinted at the possibility of a strike against Iran, evidenced by increased military presence at overseas bases.

Iran, for its part, has consistently denied possessing a nuclear arsenal, yet remains firm in its stance on uranium enrichment, a key component for nuclear power. This has been a contentious point in US-Iran relations, contributing to the ongoing tension.

As these developments unfold, American intelligence agencies have reportedly become aware of China’s nuclear advancements. Several anonymous sources with knowledge of the situation have disclosed to CNN that China is actively working on enhancing its nuclear arsenal.

As tensions rise between the US and Iran, American intelligence agencies are now reportedly privy to the development of nuclear weapons in China, multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter told CNN. 

China conducted a secret nuclear test in June 2020 at the Lop Nur facility. The US State Department disclosed the test this month, but the purpose and delay of the disclosure have not been revealed. 

Sources familiar with the 2020 test told CNN that it was motivated by China’s desire to develop ‘next generation nuclear weapons.’ 

US officials have previously expressed concern that China was building a nuclear arsenal; however, new information on the 2020 test has concluded that there is strong evidence that they are aggressively expanding it. 

Sources familiar with the matter have recently told CNN that US intelligence is privy to Chinese nuclear testing. Pictured here are members of the People’s Liberation Army during a military parade last September 

China has reportedly tested nuclear capabilities at its Lop Nur facility in June 2020. Pictured above is the desert plain of Lop Nur 

Donald Trump said last October that the US would ramp up nuclear testing ‘on an equal basis’ to China and Russia. Trump and Xi are pictured at a meeting the same month 

China has previously touted its nuclear weapons development as a means of self-defense, but evidence of tests has reportedly raised concern among US intelligence that Beijing could be developing a more offensive strategy. 

The Asian superpower currently ranks third in nuclear weaponry, significantly trailing the US and Russia’s capabilities. 

However, China’s reported investment in its arsenal could mean it will soon possess capabilities that neither Russia nor the US has, CNN reported. 

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, disputed the recent reporting, telling CNN in a statement that the US ‘has distorted and smeared China’s nuclear policy.’ 

‘This is political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony and evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities,’ Pengyu said. 

‘China firmly opposes such narratives. US allegation 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.’

Trump announced in October that he had instructed the Department of War, previously the Department of Defense, to resume testing nuclear weapons ‘on an equal basis’ to China and Russia. 

‘Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years,’ the president wrote on Truth Social in October. 

China denied the claims, but US officials have maintained that Beijing has not been transparent about nuclear testing. Pictured above is an archival photo of the Lop Nur Nuclear Test Base in 1959 

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Dr Christopher Yeaw accused China of ‘decoupling’ to hide nuclear capabilities. Pictured above is satellite footage of China’s nuclear test site 

China ranks third in nuclear capabilities, behind Russia and the US. Pictured above is a conference between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Xining on February 4 

The online statement added that those tests would ‘begin immediately.’ China, Russia and the US have gone back and forth for years, accusing one another of escalating nuclear testing activities. 

A compliance report from the US Department of State in 2019 accused Russia of violating a 1988 treaty on the elimination of intermediate- and short-range missiles. 

The US claimed that Russia violated the treaty because it was in possession of a ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM). 

In response, then Secretary of State Mark Pompeo announced that the US would suspend its obligations under the treaty due to Russia’s breach. 

The report also stated that China had a ‘lack of transparency on their nuclear testing activities,’ adding: ‘China probably carried out multiple nuclear weapon-related tests or experiments in 2018.’ 

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Dr Christopher Yeaw echoed the concerns during a public speaking event with the Hudson Institute on Tuesday. 

A compliance report from 2019 accused China of a ‘lack of transparency on their nuclear testing activities.’ Pictured above is Chinese President Xi Jinping at a signing ceremony on February 3 

The news comes as the US has alluded to a potential military strike against Iran if they do not meet negotiations on nuclear testing. Pictured above is a photo of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 17 

US officials have repeatedly accused China of a lack of transparency on their nuclear testing. Pictured above is a laser weapon during a military parade in Beijing last September 

‘China has used decoupling, a method to decrease the effectiveness of seismic monitoring to hide its activities from the world,’ Yeaw said. 

He confirmed that the US was aware of the June 2020 tests and described Chinese nuclear weapon policy as ‘opaque.’ 

The US, Russia and China are signatories to the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; however, the US and China never ratified it, and Russia rescinded its ratification in 2023. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Pentagon and the White House for further comment on CNN’s reporting.