China's Alleged Nuclear Test Sparks Global Tensions

In a startling revelation, a senior U.S. official accused China of conducting an underground nuclear test in June 2020, a claim that Beijing has vehemently denied. The accusation, presented by Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw at a Washington think tank, cited seismic readings from Kazakhstan suggesting a significant explosion, leading to suspicions of a nuclear test.

The seismic data, observed at a remote station, indicated events inconsistent with typical mining blasts or earthquakes, sparking calls for further scrutiny. However, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization noted insufficient data to corroborate the U.S. allegations. This situation exacerbates existing global tensions as the world grapples with nuclear arms race concerns.

President Donald Trump urged China to join the U.S. and Russia in a new strategic arms limitation pact, amidst worries over a potential nuclear arms escalation. Despite these calls, China has dismissed Trump’s proposal, pointing to its relatively smaller nuclear arsenal compared to the superpowers. Meanwhile, the Pentagon reports China's nuclear capabilities are swiftly expanding, projecting a doubling of its operational warheads by 2030.