US accuses China of ‘massively’ expanding nuclear arsenal amid fears of new arms race
The Guardian World
by Agence France-PresseFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The US has leveled serious allegations against China, claiming that Beijing is drastically expanding its nuclear arsenal and conducting secret nuclear tests. These accusations come amid concerns about the potential for a new arms race following the expiration of the New Start treaty between the US and Russia earlier this month. The treaty's lapse leaves a significant gap in arms control agreements, with Washington now pushing for a new agreement that would include China. However, China has rejected these claims, labeling them as smears on its nuclear policy and reiterating its commitment to avoiding any nuclear arms race. Beijing has also emphasized that it maintains a minimal nuclear deterrent and adheres to a no-first-use policy.
The context of the US accusations is tied to the broader strategic landscape of nuclear deterrence. With New Start now expired, there are limited mechanisms in place to monitor and limit nuclear arsenals between the US and Russia. The US sees an opportunity to engage China in a new agreement, but Beijing has consistently opposed such efforts, arguing that its nuclear policy is defensive in nature and does not pose a threat to global stability. While the US claims that China's expansion is "massive," Chinese officials point out that their nuclear arsenal remains much smaller than those of the US and Russia. They argue that
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/24/2026