Nonproliferation Review - Nuclear-test preparation at the Lop Nur nuclear test site, 2020–24
MTC Analysis of Lop Nut Nuclear Test Site. Imagery from the standard setting TerraSAR-X satellite operated by Airbus.
This issue explores the complex and evolving interplay among nuclear-weapons policy, alliance dynamics, technological development, and strategic stability. From US nuclear deployments in Europe to China’s possible nuclear testing and the future of arms-control verification, our contributors offer critical insights at the forefront of global nonproliferation challenges.
China’s potential response to US and Russian actions in the nuclear sphere is a major issue for policy makers and independent experts. In their article, Renny Babiarz and Jason Wang focus on a different piece of that issue—Beijing’s apparent preparations for a nuclear-weapons test at the Lop Nur site. As the two analysts note, a nuclear test explosion would contravene the major Chinese commitment represented by the country's 1996 signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Since then, China has reaffirmed its commitment although it has not ratified the treaty.
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