China has dismissed U.S. allegations of covert nuclear tests as slander

The Chinese government considers the accusations by U.S. officials regarding covert underground nuclear tests to be blatant slander and a distortion of the facts. 

During a briefing on March 26, 2026, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, stated that such remarks are intended to mislead the public, according to Ukrinform. He emphasized that Beijing firmly adheres to a defensive strategy, a commitment not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, and maintains its capabilities at the minimum level necessary for national security.

The Chinese side accused Washington of attempting to undermine global stability through the modernization of its own nuclear triad and plans to create the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Jiang Bin called on the U.S. to end its policy of double standards and begin a substantial reduction of its nuclear arsenal. Although testing is prohibited by the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, this document has not yet entered into force due to the lack of the necessary number of ratifications by key countries. Beijing insists on compliance with international norms, while pointing to the destructive role of U.S. defense programs in altering the strategic balance of power.

The United States has alleged that China is conducting secret nuclear tests at the Lop Nur test site in violation of the international ban.

U.S. intelligence agencies reported that China is conducting secret tests of a new generation of nuclear weapons and seeks to radically modernize its arsenal. 

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering expanding the nuclear arsenal and resuming underground nuclear testing. These steps are motivated by similar intentions on the part of China and Russia and could mark the first major departure from nearly 40 years of nuclear arms control policy.