China is secretly developing its nuclear infrastructure and is using its 60-year-old base, Lop Nur, for nuclear tests. Satellite imagery confirms that China has been constructing horizontal tunnels at least 3 miles deep in the mountains, similar to the ones used in China's first-ever nuclear test in 1964 [8ce0e60a]. The upgrades and additions to the base in recent years raise concerns about China's nuclear buildup and its implications for global security [f944ddb7] [71332af1] [8ce0e60a].
According to a recent opinion piece in The New York Times by W.J. Hennigan, China's nuclear ambitions have become a cause for concern in Washington. The Pentagon predicts that China will double its number of nuclear warheads to 1,000 by the end of the decade. China has expanded its nuclear testing facility and is constructing three new missile fields with over 300 intercontinental ballistic missile silos. These developments are seen as a significant shift in the delicate balance of nuclear weapons between the U.S. and Russia [c4f7f830].
American officials interpret China's nuclear buildup as an attempt to catch up with the U.S. and Russia or as a deterrent against U.S. intervention in Taiwan. However, China's nuclear intentions and goals remain unknown as the government provides little information and is unwilling to engage in arms control [c4f7f830].
China is also pursuing plans to develop floating nuclear reactors in the South China Sea to power military bases on its artificial islands. The US Indo-Pacific Command has expressed concern about the impact of China's use of floating nuclear power plants on the region and its potential to strengthen China's claims in the disputed maritime area. The US State Department is also worried about the new risks to US national security and regional security dynamics. Experts and activists have raised concerns about the unique vulnerabilities of floating nuclear reactors, including the potential for catastrophic accidents and the release of radioactive contaminants into the ocean. China's spotty nuclear safety record and its influence on the International Atomic Energy Agency's safety standards for floating nuclear reactors have also been highlighted. The Ukraine war may have accelerated China's floating nuclear power plant program, with Russia and China partnering in strategic areas such as nuclear technology. China plans to have six aircraft carriers by 2035, and its research into floating nuclear reactors could help advance its aircraft carrier program. Despite the controversy, floating nuclear reactors have the potential to revolutionize energy security and renewable energy by providing a reliable energy supply in remote areas and decarbonizing offshore operations [19e1a1c4].
This development adds to the ongoing arms race between China and the United States, highlighting the need for continued dialogue and cooperation to maintain stability and peace in the world [71332af1] [f944ddb7].