BEIJING (FN) — China has dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that it is conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, calling the accusations unfounded and urging Washington to uphold international arms control norms.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing remains committed to its long-standing suspension of nuclear testing. Her remarks followed Trump’s televised comments alleging that China, Russia, North Korea, and Pakistan are engaged in undisclosed underground detonations.
“China maintains its position on halting nuclear tests,” Mao stated. “Our strategic posture is defensive, and our doctrine prohibits initiating nuclear conflict.”
Trump’s assertion came as he announced a directive for the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, a move that would end a three-decade pause in full-scale detonations. The U.S. has not conducted such tests since 1992, though it has performed subcritical experiments that do not produce nuclear explosions.
Without presenting evidence, Trump claimed other nations were violating the moratorium. “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,” he said during a CBS interview.
Beijing responded by urging Washington to demonstrate leadership in maintaining global equilibrium. Mao called for “concrete steps” to reinforce disarmament efforts and prevent erosion of the non-proliferation framework.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, signed by most nuclear-capable states, remains unratified by the United States. China and Russia are signatories, though the treaty has yet to enter into force globally.
Security analysts warn that renewed testing could destabilize existing arms control agreements and provoke a new wave of strategic competition. Several watchdog groups have called for restraint and transparency.
China’s rebuttal highlights growing friction between major powers over military modernization and treaty compliance. The exchange underscores the fragile state of global nuclear diplomacy.
As tensions rise, calls for renewed dialogue and verification mechanisms are gaining urgency among diplomats and non-proliferation experts.
