US Accuses China of Nuclear Buildup, Seeks Inclusion in Future Arms Control Talks
GENEVA – The United States on Monday accused China of a rapid and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal, renewing calls for Beijing’s inclusion in future arms control treaties. The accusations come after the expiration of the New START treaty between the US and Russia earlier this month, leaving the world without a key agreement limiting nuclear weapons.
Christopher Yeaw, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for arms control and non-proliferation, told the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva that the previous treaty was flawed, failing to account for China’s nuclear growth. He charged that Beijing has been expanding its arsenal “without transparency or any indication of China’s intent or end point.”
According to Yeaw, China is on track to possess the fissile material needed for over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. While the US and Russia each maintain over 5,000 nuclear weapons, the US official suggested China could achieve parity with them within the next four or five years.
The US also alleges that China conducted a low-yield nuclear test in 2020, citing data from Kazakhstan indicating a 2.75-magnitude explosion. Washington claims China is planning further tests with larger yields.
China’s Ambassador to the conference, Shen Jian, vehemently denied the accusations, stating that Beijing will not “engage in any nuclear arms race, with any country.” He insisted China’s nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of the US and Russia, and that expecting China to participate in trilateral talks is “not fair, reasonable or realistic.”
Despite the public disagreement, discussions are underway. A senior US State Department official, speaking on background, confirmed a “preparatory” meeting with a Chinese delegation took place in Washington following New START’s expiration, with a more “substantive” meeting scheduled in Geneva on Tuesday.
The expiration of New START marks the first time in decades without a treaty limiting the world’s most destructive weapons, raising concerns about a renewed arms race. The US welcomed the treaty’s lapse, arguing its limits on warheads and launchers were no longer relevant, citing alleged Russian violations. Washington also accused Moscow of aiding China’s nuclear expansion.
The US maintains its commitment to arms control, with Yeaw stating the goal is “a better agreement toward a world with fewer nuclear weapons.” However, the US has also signaled a willingness to resume nuclear testing, mirroring alleged actions by China and Russia.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies recently reported it found no conclusive evidence of a 2020 explosion at China’s Lop Nur testing site, based on satellite imagery.
Published February 24, 2026 02:56 am IST