Amid the ongoing focus on US-Iran nuclear negotiations, reports have surfaced indicating that China is discreetly advancing its nuclear weapons technology. As the United States continues to engage in diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from expanding its nuclear capabilities, China’s activities have attracted international attention.

The spotlight has been predominantly on the nuclear discussions involving Iran and the US, especially with former President Donald Trump recently hinting at a potential military intervention to compel Iran to engage in further dialogue.

The Trump administration has frequently suggested the possibility of a military strike on Iran, with reports indicating an increased military presence at international bases as a show of force.

Iran, on its part, has consistently denied possessing a nuclear arsenal. However, it has asserted its right to uranium enrichment, a critical process for nuclear energy production, which remains a contentious issue with the US.

While the US-Iran tensions escalate, American intelligence agencies have reportedly become aware of China’s nuclear advancements. Sources close to the situation have informed CNN that China is making strides in its nuclear weapons development.

In June 2020, China conducted a covert nuclear test at the Lop Nur site. The US State Department only recently confirmed this test, though the reasons behind the timing of this disclosure remain unclear.

Sources familiar with the 2020 test told CNN that it was motivated by China’s desire to develop ‘next generation nuclear weapons.’ 

US officials have previously expressed concern that China was building a nuclear arsenal; however, new information on the 2020 test has concluded that there is strong evidence that they are aggressively expanding it. 

Sources familiar with the matter have recently told CNN that US intelligence is privy to Chinese nuclear testing. Pictured here are members of the People’s Liberation Army during a military parade last September 

China has reportedly tested nuclear capabilities at its Lop Nur facility in June 2020. Pictured above is the desert plain of Lop Nur 

Donald Trump said last October that the US would ramp up nuclear testing ‘on an equal basis’ to China and Russia. Trump and Xi are pictured at a meeting the same month 

China has previously touted its nuclear weapons development as a means of self-defense, but evidence of tests has reportedly raised concern among US intelligence that Beijing could be developing a more offensive strategy. 

The Asian superpower currently ranks third in nuclear weaponry, significantly trailing the US and Russia’s capabilities. 

However, China’s reported investment in its arsenal could mean it will soon possess capabilities that neither Russia nor the US has, CNN reported. 

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, disputed the recent reporting, telling CNN in a statement that the US ‘has distorted and smeared China’s nuclear policy.’ 

‘This is political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony and evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities,’ Pengyu said. 

‘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.’

Trump announced in October that he had instructed the Department of War, previously the Department of Defense, to resume testing nuclear weapons ‘on an equal basis’ to China and Russia. 

‘Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years,’ the president wrote on Truth Social in October. 

China denied the claims, but US officials have maintained that Beijing has not been transparent about nuclear testing. Pictured above is an archival photo of the Lop Nur Nuclear Test Base in 1959 

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Dr Christopher Yeaw accused China of ‘decoupling’ to hide nuclear capabilities. Pictured above is satellite footage of China’s nuclear test site 

China ranks third in nuclear capabilities, behind Russia and the US. Pictured above is a conference between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Xining on February 4 

The online statement added that those tests would ‘begin immediately.’ China, Russia and the US have gone back and forth for years, accusing one another of escalating nuclear testing activities. 

A compliance report from the US Department of State in 2019 accused Russia of violating a 1988 treaty on the elimination of intermediate- and short-range missiles. 

The US claimed that Russia violated the treaty because it was in possession of a ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM). 

In response, then Secretary of State Mark Pompeo announced that the US would suspend its obligations under the treaty due to Russia’s breach. 

The report also stated that China had a ‘lack of transparency on their nuclear testing activities,’ adding: ‘China probably carried out multiple nuclear weapon-related tests or experiments in 2018.’ 

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Dr Christopher Yeaw echoed the concerns during a public speaking event with the Hudson Institute on Tuesday. 

A compliance report from 2019 accused China of a ‘lack of transparency on their nuclear testing activities.’ Pictured above is Chinese President Xi Jinping at a signing ceremony on February 3 

The news comes as the US has alluded to a potential military strike against Iran if they do not meet negotiations on nuclear testing. Pictured above is a photo of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 17 

US officials have repeatedly accused China of a lack of transparency on their nuclear testing. Pictured above is a laser weapon during a military parade in Beijing last September 

‘China has used decoupling, a method to decrease the effectiveness of seismic monitoring to hide its activities from the world,’ Yeaw said. 

He confirmed that the US was aware of the June 2020 tests and described Chinese nuclear weapon policy as ‘opaque.’ 

The US, Russia and China are signatories to the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; however, the US and China never ratified it, and Russia rescinded its ratification in 2023. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Pentagon and the White House for further comment on CNN’s reporting.