Tensions Rise: Allegations of Secret Chinese Nuclear Test Emerge

A senior U.S. official claims China conducted a secret underground nuclear test in June 2020, sparking political tension. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization's data lacks confirmation, and China denies the allegation. The dispute fuels concerns about an escalating nuclear arms race amid expired agreements.

A senior U.S. official recently accused China of conducting a covert underground nuclear test in June 2020, raising global security concerns. This revelation was made by Christopher Yeaw, Assistant Secretary of State, during a talk at the Hudson Institute in Washington, citing seismic data from Kazakhstan.

The allegation has been met with skepticism, as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization stated there's insufficient data to confirm the U.S. claim. In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington dismissed the accusation as unfounded, labeling it a political maneuver to justify potential resumption of U.S. nuclear tests.

The incident comes as tensions mount over nuclear disarmament, with the expiration of the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia spurring fears of a renewed arms race. The Pentagon warns of China's expanding nuclear capabilities, projecting a significant increase in its warhead count by 2030.

(With inputs from agencies.)