China Calls Trump’s Nuclear Test Accusations “Unfounded,” Reaffirms No-First-Use Pledge
Beijing slams Trump’s accusation of secret nuclear weapons testing.
China firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s allegations that it is secretly conducting nuclear weapons tests. Trump claimed on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that China, alongside Russia, North Korea, and Pakistan, is testing nukes underground, hidden from public knowledge. Beijing’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, countered at a press conference, asserting China’s commitment to a no-first-use policy and its suspension of nuclear testing as a responsible nuclear state.
Mao Ning emphasized China’s adherence to peaceful development and a self-defense nuclear strategy. She urged the U.S. to take concrete steps to support global nuclear disarmament and maintain strategic stability. Her remarks responded to Trump’s assertion that these nations conduct covert tests, with vibrations barely detectable, implying the U.S. might resume testing to keep pace, a move that could mark its first nuclear detonation since 1992.
Trump’s comments, first posted on social media before a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, stirred confusion about his intentions. He insisted the U.S. should test nuclear weapons like other nations, claiming countries like China and Russia hide underground tests. However, no evidence confirms recent nuclear detonations by China or Russia, with their last known tests in 1996 and 1990, respectively, while North Korea remains the outlier.
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U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified on Fox News that Trump’s proposed tests likely refer to non-critical system tests, not full nuclear explosions. These tests ensure the functionality of nuclear weapon components without triggering an atomic blast. The U.S., a signatory to the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, is bound by its ban on all nuclear test explosions, a commitment China also upholds.
The controversy follows Russia’s recent tests of a nuclear-powered cruise missile and a nuclear-capable underwater drone, fueling Trump’s narrative. His remarks have reignited debates about global nuclear policies, with Beijing calling for transparency and restraint. As tensions rise, the international community watches closely to see if Trump’s rhetoric signals a shift in U.S. nuclear strategy or merely political posturing.
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