China's 'Massive' Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal Sparks Global Concern

In recent developments, China has reportedly made significant strides in expanding its nuclear arsenal, sparking international concern and leading to U.S. allegations of secret nuclear testing. According to satellite images analysed by defence experts, China has launched its first next-generation Type 095 nuclear-powered attack submarine and appears to be testing a 155mm naval gun to boost the PLA Navy’s land-attack firepower¹². While China insists that it will not engage in any nuclear arms race³, these revelations have added fuel to the escalating nuclear debate globally.

The Nuclear Expansion

The satellite images, captured between February 9 and 12, showed the new Type 095 submarine being fitted out at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao, Liaoning province¹. Concurrently, photos of a massive 155mm weapon mounted on the bow of a test vessel have emerged on Chinese social media². The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Christopher Yeaw, has accused China of massively expanding its nuclear arsenal, asserting that Beijing is on the verge of possessing the fissile materials necessary for the production of more than 1000 nuclear warheads⁴.

Allegations of Secret Testing

Adding to the growing concern, the U.S. State Department has claimed that Beijing had conducted secret nuclear tests⁵⁶. Yeaw provided new details about a supposed nuclear test in June 2020⁷. The State Department believes the explosion, detected by a seismic station in Kazakhstan, was a nuclear test conducted by China⁷. However, China's embassy in Washington has dismissed these claims as political manipulation and baseless accusations⁸⁹.

Reactions and Implications

The reported expansion of China's nuclear capabilities has rekindled the debate over nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. The U.S. has suggested that the lapsing of New START, the last treaty between top nuclear powers the U.S. and Russia, offers an opportunity for a better agreement that includes Beijing¹⁰¹¹.

However, experts warn that any U.S. resumption of nuclear testing could set off a chain reaction of tests by other nuclear-armed states¹². China's Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, Shen Jian, emphasized that Beijing firmly supports the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty⁹.

The Current Standoff

As it stands, there is a clear divergence in narratives between the U.S. and China. While the U.S. points to evidence of China's nuclear expansion and secret tests⁶⁸, China denies these allegations, stressing its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation⁹. The international community watches closely as the nuclear debate unfolds, amidst concerns of a possible new arms race in the making.