The United States has accused China of conducting an underground nuclear test in June 2020, a claim Beijing vehemently denies. Modern details regarding the alleged blast were presented by a senior U.S. Official on Tuesday.
Details of the Allegation
Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw stated that a seismic station in Kazakhstan detected an “explosion” measuring magnitude 2.75 on June 22, 2020, originating 720 kilometers (450 miles) from the Lop Nor test grounds in western China. Yeaw, a former intelligence analyst and defense official, asserted that the data indicated a “singular explosion” inconsistent with both earthquakes and mining activity, suggesting it aligned with expectations for a nuclear explosive test.
However, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), responsible for detecting such explosions, indicated that the data was insufficient to confirm the allegation with confidence. The organization’s monitoring system is designed to detect events with yields of 500 metric tons (551 tons) of TNT or greater, while the recorded events were below that threshold.
China’s Response and Broader Implications
China’s embassy in Washington dismissed the allegation as “entirely unfounded,” characterizing it as a fabrication intended to justify a potential resumption of U.S. Nuclear testing. A spokesperson for the embassy accused the U.S. Of “political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony and evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities.”
The accusation comes as the New START treaty, the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms limitation agreement, expired on February 5, raising concerns about a potential accelerated nuclear arms race. U.S. President Donald Trump has been urging China to join negotiations for a replacement pact, but China has rejected the call, citing the disparity in size between its nuclear arsenal and those of the U.S. And Russia.
Yeaw suggested China may have employed a technique known as “decoupling” to conceal the test, detonating the device in a chamber to reduce shockwaves. Both China and the U.S. Have signed, but not ratified, the international treaty banning nuclear testing and are obligated to uphold the pact under international law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the seismic station in Kazakhstan detect?
The PS23 seismic station in Kazakhstan recorded two incredibly small seismic events spaced 12 seconds apart on June 22, 2020.
What is China’s position on the allegation?
China has denied the allegation, calling it “entirely unfounded” and an attempt to justify a resumption of U.S. Nuclear testing.
What was the status of the New START treaty at the time of the alleged test?
The New START treaty, the last U.S.-Russia strategic nuclear arms limitation agreement, had expired on February 5.
Given the conflicting accounts and limited data, what steps might be taken to de-escalate tensions and promote transparency in nuclear arms control?
