U.S. alleges China secretly tested nuclear weapons in 2020, urging new treaties as New START expires.

The United States. accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test in June 2020 using methods to avoid seismic detection, and called for a new multilateral arms control treaty involving China and Russia as the New START treaty expired. U.S. Officials claim China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, aiming for over 1,000 warheads by 2030 and preparing for high-yield tests. China denied the allegations, labeling them unfounded and accusing the United States. of escalating tension. The collapse of New START marks the first time that the U.S. and Russia do not have binding nuclear limits.