US Accuses China of Massive Nuclear Buildup, Calls for Inclusion in Arms Treaty
The United States has leveled serious allegations against China, accusing it of dramatically expanding its nuclear arsenal and conducting secret nuclear tests. In a strong statement, US officials have urged that Beijing be included in any future arms control treaty to address growing global security concerns.
US Official Speaks at Geneva Conference
Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Christopher Yeaw, the US assistant secretary of state for arms control and nonproliferation, highlighted the recent lapse of the New START treaty between the United States and Russia. He described this as an opportunity to negotiate a "better agreement" that includes China, as reported by AFP.
"Perhaps its greatest flaw was that New START did not account for the unprecedented, deliberate, rapid and opaque nuclear weapons build-up by China," Yeaw stated. "Despite its claims to the contrary, China has deliberately and without constraint, massively expanded its nuclear arsenal without transparency or any indication of China's intent or end point."
Concerns Over China's Nuclear Expansion
Yeaw issued a stark warning, suggesting that Beijing could achieve nuclear parity with major powers within the next four or five years. He further noted that China is on track to possess enough fissile material for over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, raising alarms about the scale of its military ambitions.
The New START treaty, which expired on February 5, had previously limited the United States and Russia to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each. Its expiration marks the first time in decades that no international treaty constrains the positioning of the world's most destructive weapons, fueling fears of a renewed arms race.
Defense of Treaty Lapse and Future Goals
Yeaw defended the lapse of the New START treaty, arguing that its numerical limits were "no longer relevant" due to alleged Russian violations. He also claimed that Moscow had assisted in boosting Beijing's capacity to increase its arsenal size, complicating the global nuclear landscape.
"The expiration arrived at a fortuitous time," he said, adding that it allows US President Donald Trump to pursue his "ultimate goal of a better agreement." Yeaw emphasized that the United States remains committed to arms control, stating: "Our goal is a better agreement toward a world with fewer nuclear weapons."
This development underscores the shifting dynamics in international security, with the United States pushing for broader participation in arms control efforts to address emerging threats from China's nuclear program.
