The US has accused China of conducting secret nuclear explosive tests

Washington on Friday (Feb 6, 2026) accused China of conducting secret nuclear explosive tests and preparing for more tests with massive yields, saying it violated an international test ban.

“Today, I disclose that the US government is aware that China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparations for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons,” US Under Secretary for Arms Control Thomas DiNanno told a UN conference in Geneva.

“China conducted such a yield-producing nuclear test on June 22, 2020,” he said.

US President Donald Trump hinted at similar allegations late last year, but without the same level of detail.

Mr Trump said on October 31 that Washington would begin testing nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with Moscow and Beijing, but without specifying or elaborating on what type of nuclear testing he would like to resume.

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He accused China of using “decoupling – reducing the effectiveness of seismic monitoring – to hide their activities from the world”.

Mr DiNanno’s comments came as he presented a new US plan calling for three-way talks with Russia and China to set new limits on nuclear weapons. The conclusion of New Start – the last agreement between the top nuclear powers Washington and Moscow, Expired on Thursday.

China has already rejected joining the disarmament talks “at this stage”.