In the remote desert, at the «Lop Nur» base where China detonated its first atomic bomb nearly 60 years ago, a drilling rig has recently bored a deep vertical shaft that descended at least one-third of a mile (about 0.5 kilometers), as reported by The New York Times. This development serves as the most compelling evidence that Beijing is contemplating whether to conduct tests of new-generation nuclear weapons.
Analysts assert that the activity at «Lop Nur» signals a broad modernization of China’s nuclear arsenal, potentially accelerating the buildup of arms and provoking a new era of nuclear rivalry.
While representatives of American intelligence acknowledge that China may be preparing for nuclear testing, they also note that President Xi Jinping may simply be taking precautions by drilling deep vertical shafts. This preparation would allow China to act swiftly if necessary.
Although China’s exact number of nuclear weapons remains undisclosed, estimates suggest it possesses around 350 nuclear warheads. These assessments are based on expert analyses and intelligence agency reports. Notably, China signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996, effectively ending its nuclear testing program.
