The United States and China are exploring the possibility of allowing mutual visits to their nuclear facilities in an effort to build trust and reduce the risks associated with their nuclear arsenals. According to sources cited by CNN, the idea of reciprocal visits was initially proposed by China during meetings with US officials this year. The discussions have centered on visits to national laboratories and equivalent Chinese facilities.
The talks between Washington and Beijing come at a time of heightened tensions, particularly in the wake of the expiration of the New START treaty, which limited the nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia. The treaty expired on February 5 without a successor, and concerns have been raised about the growing nuclear capabilities of China. According to estimates, China's nuclear arsenal has increased from 600 to 620 warheads over the past year.
The global nuclear landscape is also a cause for concern, with an estimated 12,187 warheads worldwide as of January 2026. The Institute for Strategic Studies warns that major powers are moving away from disarmament, and the situation is becoming increasingly complex. The US and China have had discussions on the sidelines of meetings of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Paul Dean, former acting deputy secretary of state for arms control, has described the proposed visits as "an extremely valuable confidence-building measure." However, he also cautions that any discussions with China should be approached with caution. The US is reportedly open to considering visits to nuclear test sites, in addition to laboratory visits.
China has maintained that its nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of Russia and the US. However, Beijing has rejected calls to enter into new negotiations to limit its nuclear buildup. Despite this, US President Donald Trump has advocated for trilateral negotiations between the US, China, and Russia.
A meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to take place this year, possibly on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China in November or the G20 in the US. In the meantime, further technical-level exchanges are expected to take place. The US and China are seeking to find common ground on nuclear issues.
The proposed visits to nuclear facilities are seen as a crucial step in building trust and reducing tensions between the US and China. While there are no guarantees of success, the talks are an important development in the complex and sensitive area of nuclear diplomacy. The outcome of these discussions will be closely watched by the international community.
Key points
- The US and China are discussing mutual visits to nuclear facilities to build trust and reduce nuclear risks.
- The talks come amid concerns about China's growing nuclear capabilities and the expiration of the New START treaty.
- A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to take place this year.
