Washington has leveled a grave accusation against Beijing, claiming secret low-yield nuclear tests are taking place, fueling fears of a terrifying new Cold War as the last arms treaties crumble.

The United States has formally accused China of conducting secret nuclear tests, shattering the fragile veneer of global arms control and pushing the two superpowers closer to the brink of a new atomic age. In a blistering statement delivered at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, U.S. officials alleged that Beijing has been detonating low-yield nuclear devices in violation of international norms, specifically pointing to a clandestine operation on June 22, 2020.

These allegations strike at the heart of global security. With the New START treaty dead and Beijing expanding its arsenal at breakneck speed, the accusation of "zero-yield" violations suggests that the era of restraint is over. We are witnessing the start of a three-way nuclear arms race that is more complex and dangerous than anything seen in the 20th century. The U.S. argument is clear: the old bilateral treaties with Russia are obsolete, and any new framework must bind the dragon as well as the bear.

Secrets in the Rock

The specific accusation details how China has used "decoupling" techniques—methods to suppress seismic signatures—to hide explosions at its Lop Nur test site. U.S. Under Secretary Thomas DiNanno didn't hold back, claiming that China is preparing for tests with yields in the hundreds of tons. This isn't just about testing; it's about modernizing a warhead stockpile that the Pentagon fears will triple by 2030.

Beijing’s response was predictable but sharp. Ambassador Shen Jian dismissed the claims as "false narratives" designed to justify American aggression. But the U.S. insistence on dragging China into a tripartite treaty with Russia reveals Washington's anxiety. They know they can no longer deter two nuclear peers simultaneously with a treaty designed for one.

The Tripartite Deadlock

The diplomatic impasse is dangerous. China refuses to join talks, arguing its arsenal is a fraction of the U.S. and Russian stockpiles. Russia plays both sides, agreeing with the U.S. in principle but refusing to pressure its strategic partner in Beijing. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Without a treaty, there are no inspectors, no data exchanges, and no verification.

• The Risk of Miscalculation: In the absence of transparency, every satellite image of a silo field in Gansu becomes a reason for the U.S. to build more missiles, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of escalation.
• The Global Fallout: Non-nuclear states are watching this hypocrisy with growing anger, threatening the unraveling of the Non-Proliferation Treaty itself.

"Trust but verify" has been replaced by "accuse and escalate." In this high-stakes game of nuclear poker, the entire world is the chip on the table, and right now, everyone is going all in.