China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts, the US state department said in a report on Wednesday that could fuel US-Chinese tensions. Zero yield refers to a nuclear test in which there is no explosive chain reaction of the type ignited by the detonation of a nuclear warhead. “China has always adopted a responsible attitude, earnestly fulfilling the international obligations and promises it has assumed,” he said. But China has declared its adherence to its terms, while the US has observed a unilateral testing moratorium since 1992. Zhao said the US in its nuclear posture review has said that it will resume underground testing if necessary.

Source: The Telegraph April 16, 2020 21:22 UTC