WW3 fears erupt as China ‘developing new nuclear weapons’ | World | News
China is developing a new generation of nuclear weapons and is believed to have carried out at least one explosive test in recent year, US intelligence assessments have claimed. The explosive nuclear test was allegedly carried out covertly in June 2020 at the Lop Nur facility, sources have claimed, as part of a broader push to transform the Chinese nuclear arsenal.
The report will likely spark fears the world could inch closer to a new conflict, with CNN reporting sources who said China also appears to be developing low-yield, tactical nuclear weapons for the first time. Similar weapons may be deployed against targets close to the country, such as Taiwan, the sources suggested, possibly in scenarios where Beijing responds to a US move in defence of the territory claimed by China, they added. A similar move could spark a dangerous chain reaction.
It is understood China has been aggressively expanding its nuclear sites, and US intelligence officials have previously reported publicly, with analysts suspecting that China might be pursuing new technologies. Now US officials believe there is strong evidence to support that theory because of what it has learned about the 2020 test, the CNN reported.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, however, told CNN that “the United States has distorted and smeared China’s nuclear policy,” when asked about the US intelligence assessments of its nuclear program.
Quoted by the CNN, Lyu Pengyu said: “This is political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony and evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities. China firmly opposes such narratives. US allegation about China conducting a nuclear test are entirely unfounded. China opposes any attempt by the United States to fabricate excuses for resuming its own nuclear testing.”
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The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy also said China “follows a policy of ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defense, and adheres to its nuclear testing moratorium.”
“We stand ready to work with all parties to jointly uphold the authority of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime,” the CNN added.
The decision of disclosing specifics about the event from June 2020 is a move that suggests the Trump administration is concerned about public diplomacy with Beijing, the CNN reported quoting a source, particularly ahead of the president’s upcoming trip to the country in April.
