China Hits Back at Donald Trump: ‘Our Nuclear Policy Is Transparent and Responsible’

Washington: US President Donald Trump has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapons testing after 33 years. He claimed that Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan are secretly conducting underground tests, which escape global monitoring. "They test but don't talk about it. We're an open society, so we'll test too," Trump said in an interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes. Experts say that America has the world's largest nuclear weapons stockpile, which is capable of destroying the world 150 times.

How did China reject Trump's allegations?

China has completely rejected Trump's claims. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday that Beijing had strictly adhered to an informal moratorium on nuclear testing since 1996. He stressed, "China is committed to peaceful development as a responsible nuclear power. We adhere to the 'no first use' policy and self-defensive strategy." Mao also appealed to America to maintain the test moratorium so that global strategic balance is maintained. China reiterated its support for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and asked the US to fulfill its obligations.

Trump's allegations on Pakistan: What is the truth?

Trump also accused Pakistan of conducting secret tests, but there was no independent confirmation of this. Pakistan has not yet given any official response. According to experts, Pakistan last conducted a test in 1998, after which no evidence of any explosive test was found. However, Trump's claim is a matter of concern for India, which is surrounded by China and Pakistan—both nuclear-armed neighbors. India has not conducted any tests since 1998 and has adopted a 'no first use' policy. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that US tests would initially be "non-explosive," meaning no nuclear explosion.

Global impact: will the threat increase?

This step of Trump can weaken the global nuclear non-proliferation system. Hans Christensen of the Federation of American Scientists warned that this could also lead countries like Russia, China, India, and Pakistan to resume testing. North Korea last tested positive in 2017, the only confirmed case in the 21st century. China's nuclear weapons stockpile is growing rapidly—to 600 warheads by 2025, rising to 1,000 by 2030. India's 180 weapons are slightly more than Pakistan's 170. Discussion is intense on X (formerly Twitter), with users calling Trump's claims "dangerous." Overall, the move increases risks to global stability, but the US testing program could be operational within 18 months.