The US State Department has accused China of significantly increasing its nuclear arsenal, claiming that Beijing may be engaging in secret nuclear tests. This accusation was made amidst the backdrop of the expiration of the New Start treaty, which previously governed nuclear arms between the United States and Russia. US officials are advocating for the inclusion of China in any future arms control agreements, highlighting concerns over the rapid and opaque growth of China's nuclear capabilities.

China's response to these allegations has been firm. Shen Jian, China’s ambassador to the UN, stated that the country opposes the negative characterization of its nuclear policy and rejected the notion of participating in a nuclear arms race. The Chinese government has consistently defended its military strategy as defensive rather than aggressive, pushing back against what it perceives as US attempts to isolate and demonize its nuclear ambitions.

The discussion surrounding nuclear proliferation has become increasingly urgent following the end of New Start. US officials, including Christopher Yeaw, have expressed that the previous arms control agreements were inadequate in addressing China's nuclear build-up. This situation raises significant concerns for global security, as any lapses in arms control could lead to an escalation of nuclear tensions, especially among the world's largest nuclear powers, including the United States, Russia, and China.