China Rejects Trump’s Accusations of Secret Nuclear Testing, Urges U.S. to Uphold Global Moratorium
China has strongly rejected accusations made by U.S. President Donald Trump that Beijing and Moscow have secretly conducted underground nuclear weapons tests, describing the claims as “false and irresponsible.”
In a statement released on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that China continues to fully observe the moratorium on nuclear explosive testing, which has been respected by major world powers for decades. The statement also urged Washington to show restraint and maintain its own commitments to nuclear non-proliferation and global stability.
Trump’s Claim: “They’re Testing, We’re Not”
During a televised address, President Trump claimed that rival nations—particularly China and Russia—have been secretly carrying out nuclear tests, while the United States has refrained from doing so since 1992.
He said, “Russia’s testing, China’s testing, and we’re the only country that isn’t. I don’t want America to fall behind.”
Trump went on to argue that the U.S. must immediately resume nuclear weapons testing to ensure its military readiness and technological edge. When pressed by reporters on whether this meant detonating a nuclear device, he replied, “We’ll test like other countries do—yes, that’s what it means.”
According to Trump, the alleged secret tests by China and Russia threaten the strategic balance, leaving the United States “vulnerable and unprepared” if it continues to uphold the voluntary moratorium.
China’s Strong Rebuttal
Responding to the allegations, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning firmly rejected the accusation, calling it baseless. She stated, “As a responsible nuclear-weapon state, China has strictly adhered to its moratorium on nuclear testing. Our position is consistent, transparent, and in full compliance with international obligations.”
She reiterated that China has not conducted any nuclear tests since 1996 and remains committed to the goal of a comprehensive ban on all nuclear explosions. Mao also emphasized that Beijing upholds its long-standing “no first use” nuclear policy, maintaining that its nuclear arsenal is purely defensive.
She added that instead of spreading unfounded claims, the U.S. should “focus on maintaining global strategic stability” and “abide by its own commitments” under existing arms control frameworks.
Decades of Moratorium and New Tensions
Since the early 1990s, all five recognized nuclear powers—the U.S., Russia, China, the U.K., and France—have observed a voluntary suspension of nuclear explosive testing. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), adopted in 1996, prohibits all nuclear explosions worldwide, though it has not yet entered into full legal force.
While the United States signed the CTBT, it never formally ratified the treaty. China signed it as well but has maintained a similar position, keeping its moratorium without ratification. Both nations have avoided full-scale testing for nearly three decades, even as they continue to modernize their nuclear forces.
Trump’s accusations mark one of the most serious challenges to this fragile global understanding. Analysts warn that any decision by Washington to resume testing could unravel decades of nuclear restraint and prompt other nations to follow suit.
What Kind of Testing Is at Issue?
Experts believe that Trump’s comments refer not only to explosive nuclear tests but also to subcritical or “system” tests—non-explosive experiments used to assess the reliability of nuclear weapons without causing a detonation.
These activities, conducted in underground facilities, are not prohibited under the CTBT. Both the U.S. and other nuclear-armed states carry them out regularly for maintenance and safety purposes. However, some critics argue that such tests can blur the line between compliance and violation, especially if they involve activities close to producing a nuclear yield.
By implying that China and Russia are carrying out explosive-level tests, Trump appears to be laying the groundwork for the U.S. to justify a similar return to full-scale testing.
Global Concern Over a Renewed Arms Race
Trump’s call to restart testing has alarmed arms control experts and international observers. Many fear that it could trigger a new nuclear arms race at a time when tensions between the world’s major powers are already high.
Restarting nuclear testing could have far-reaching consequences:
-
Undermining decades of non-proliferation progress made since the Cold War.
-
Encouraging other countries—including emerging nuclear powers—to resume their own tests.
-
Weakening global confidence in arms control treaties and verification mechanisms.
Experts caution that once the testing taboo is broken, it would be difficult to restore. Even simulated or subcritical tests could raise suspicions and accelerate the development of new warhead designs across multiple nations.
Russia’s Ambiguous Position
While Russia has not commented directly on Trump’s claims, it has repeatedly denied conducting nuclear explosive tests in recent years. Moscow continues to maintain its moratorium but has also said it is “technically ready” to resume testing if the U.S. does.
This reciprocal stance—often described as a “mirror policy”—means that any American decision to test could immediately prompt a similar move by Russia, further escalating global tensions.
Russia has also been developing new nuclear-capable delivery systems, such as the Poseidon underwater drone and the Burevestnik cruise missile, which Washington has cited as examples of advanced nuclear activity that may require testing.
Strategic Implications for Global Security
The renewed debate over nuclear testing comes amid rising geopolitical friction between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow. The U.S. accuses China of rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, while China insists it maintains a minimal deterrent policy.
If the U.S. were to restart testing, it could significantly complicate ongoing efforts to rebuild arms control frameworks. With the expiration of previous treaties such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the uncertainty surrounding future agreements, the world could face an era of unrestrained nuclear competition.
Moreover, resuming tests would likely damage America’s credibility on non-proliferation and could alienate its allies, many of whom are strong supporters of the CTBT.
What Happens Next?
Several key questions remain unanswered:
-
Will the U.S. actually conduct explosive nuclear tests, or limit itself to simulations?
-
How will China and Russia respond if Washington breaks the moratorium?
-
Can international diplomacy prevent a new arms race before it starts?
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these exchanges lead to renewed talks or greater confrontation among the world’s major nuclear powers.
Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Nuclear Stability
President Trump’s assertion that China and Russia are secretly testing nuclear weapons has reignited one of the most sensitive issues in global security. While China has firmly denied the allegations and reaffirmed its commitment to the nuclear test moratorium, the U.S. appears poised to reconsider decades of restraint.
If Washington proceeds with testing, it risks destabilizing an already fragile global balance and undoing years of progress in arms control. For now, the world watches closely—hoping that words of accusation will not turn into actions that could reshape the nuclear order for generations to come.