US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — The US State Department released a report alleging that Beijing is breaking its promise and secretly conducting low-power nuclear tests, writes The Wall Street Journal. According to the publication, these accusations will only exacerbate the existing tension between the two countries.
It is likely that, contrary to its promise, China will secretly conduct low-power nuclear tests *. This statement is contained in a new report on arms control by the US State Department, writes The Wall Street Journal.
The authors of the document do not provide concrete evidence of violations by the Celestial Empire. But it indicates a certain activity that ” causes concern ” that Beijing may not be observing a complete ban on nuclear testing, the newspaper notes.
The reason for this concern was the extensive excavations in the area of the Lobnor Chinese proving ground, as well as information that Beijing allegedly uses special cameras to suppress explosions. Another factor fueling US suspicion is the interruption of data transmission from international monitoring network stations located in the country that monitor radiation emissions and seismic shocks, explains WSJ.
Trump administration allegations are found in a declassified summary of the annual review of compliance with arms control agreements. The review has been prepared for some time and is likely to exacerbate the existing tensions between Beijing and Washington related to the coronavirus, the militarization of the South China Sea and trade disputes, the publication said.
In addition, all this is happening against the backdrop of President Trump’s attempts to begin negotiations with Beijing on nuclear arms control. He hopes to include China in a new agreement that will also include Russia.
Some experts believe that Trump is trying to gain political points at the expense of China, instead of resolving potential contradictions through diplomacy. Among those who hold this view is Steven Andreasen, a former senior specialist in the Clinton administration for arms control. According to him, if Washington had any concerns about the tests, then he should have shared them with Beijing.
The agreement underlying the dispute is the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which was concluded in 1996. Although some countries, including the United States and China, have not yet ratified the document, they insist that they abide by its terms.
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