China has strongly denied recent accusations by the United States that it conducted a nuclear explosive test, calling the claims “completely groundless” and politically motivated. Li Song, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, said in an interview that the allegations were fabricated to justify a potential resumption of U.S. nuclear testing.
The dispute follows remarks by U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, where he accused China of carrying out a nuclear explosive test in June 2020. In response, Robert Floyd, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), issued a clarification stating that the organization’s International Monitoring System had not detected any event consistent with a nuclear weapons test at that time.
Li said this clarification demonstrated that Washington’s claims lacked evidence and described the U.S. approach as irresponsible and driven by ulterior motives. He stated that China firmly rejects what it sees as attempts to create a narrative that could be used to legitimize renewed nuclear testing by the United States.
During a meeting with Floyd, Li reiterated China’s commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), emphasizing that China was among the first countries to sign the accord. He noted that since announcing a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing in 1996, China has adhered strictly to its obligations and has not conducted any activities that would violate the treaty’s principles.
The Chinese envoy urged the United States, which possesses one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, to fulfill what he described as its primary responsibility in advancing nuclear disarmament. He argued that distorting China’s nuclear policy undermines international trust and reflects an effort to maintain nuclear supremacy while shifting attention away from Washington’s own obligations.
Li further warned that such actions risk disrupting the global nuclear order and strategic stability, calling on the United States to reaffirm the joint commitment of the five recognized nuclear-weapon states to a continued moratorium on nuclear testing. He also urged concrete steps to strengthen the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation framework.
Reaffirming Beijing’s stance, Li said China remains committed to peaceful development and maintains a nuclear strategy based on self-defense. He added that China intends to continue playing what it described as a constructive role in safeguarding international peace and security amid rising geopolitical tensions over arms control.
