U.S. Alleges China Conducted Secret Nuclear Tests Amid Expanding Global Espionage Investigations
Key Facts
- U.S. Undersecretary Thomas DiNanno alleged a secret Chinese nuclear test occurred on June 22, 2020.
- China's Foreign Ministry called the U.S. claims "outright lies."
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization stated it saw no seismic evidence of the alleged test.
- Two Chinese nationals in Australia face up to 15 years in prison for spying on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist group.
- Greek Col Christos Flessas admitted to photographing NATO documents for Chinese intelligence.
- U.S. intelligence estimates China will have 1,000 deployed nuclear weapons by 2030.
U.S. officials disclosed intelligence findings alleging China conducted at least one secret nuclear explosive test and is preparing for further tests with yields in the hundreds of tons. Thomas DiNanno, undersecretary of state for arms control, stated at a Geneva conference that China used "decoupling" techniques to hide a yield-producing test on June 22, 2020. The U.S. claims these activities violate global norms against nuclear testing, though seismic monitoring organizations reported no evidence of a test on the date cited.
Beijing rejected the allegations as "outright lies," accusing Washington of distorting Chinese policy to justify restarting its own nuclear testing program. While both nations are signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the U.S. alleges China is exploiting the treaty's lack of a formal definition for an "explosion" to conduct small-scale nuclear chain reactions. Experts noted that China is currently expanding its nuclear arsenal, with projections suggesting it could reach 1,000 deployed weapons by 2030.
In separate developments, authorities in Australia and Greece have detained individuals accused of spying for Chinese intelligence. In Australia, two Chinese nationals were charged with "reckless foreign interference" for allegedly monitoring a Buddhist group at the behest of China's Public Security Bureau. In Greece, a high-ranking air force officer was detained after admitting to transmitting classified NATO documents to Chinese handlers in exchange for payments ranging from €5,000 to €15,000.
Historical Context
The U.S. and China conducted their last official nuclear tests in 1992 and 1996, respectively. While the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty prohibits testing, it has never been ratified, though major powers have generally upheld a moratorium. Relations between Australia and China have seen recent improvement after a trade war involving lobster imports, despite ongoing security concerns regarding foreign interference.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: The Guardian · NPR · South China Morning Post · Deutsche Welle | Aggregators: Global Conflict Monitor
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