In a direct rebuttal to Donald Trump, China’s foreign ministry has affirmed the nation’s “self-defence nuclear strategy” and denied all claims of secret testing. The statement came after Trump ordered the U.S. to resume its own nuclear testing program.
Trump alleged in a ‘60 minutes’ interview that China and Russia were conducting clandestine underground tests. “I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test,” he said, justifying his new directive.
Beijing’s response was swift, labeling China a “responsible nuclear-weapons state.” The ministry’s statement emphasized that the country has consistently “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
The former president first announced his order on social media, instructing the “Department of War” to begin testing “immediately.” He claimed the U.S. arsenal, which he called the world’s largest, was fully renovated during his first term.
This escalation has sparked fears of a new arms race. Trump’s order follows reports of Russia testing a new nuclear-powered cruise missile and a nuclear-capable underwater drone.
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