US Accuses China of Secret Nuclear Testing, Pushes for New Arms Control Treaty

• The US accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test in 2020, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tonnes.
• US Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno stated China used 'decoupling' to conceal tests and decrease seismic monitoring effectiveness.
• The accusations were made during three-way talks with Russia and China to establish new limits on nuclear weapons after the New START treaty expired.
• China's ambassador Shen Jian denied the 'false narratives' of a Chinese nuclear threat, stating Beijing acts prudently on nuclear issues.
• The US aims to replace the expired New START treaty with a new agreement including China, projecting China will have over 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.