US, China discuss visits to nuclear sites as fears grow that a new arms race could be taking shape

The United States and China are considering allowing officials to visit each other's nuclear facilities, a move aimed at increasing transparency between the two nations amid growing concerns about a potential nuclear arms race. While the talks are still in the early stages, the proposal has roots in both countries. Chinese officials first suggested the idea during meetings with US officials earlier this year, according to CNN.

The discussions have covered potential visits to national laboratories in the US and their Chinese counterparts, as well as nuclear testing sites. The US has expressed openness to discussing access to nuclear testing sites. While a site visit would not equal an arms-control treaty or require either country to disclose the full extent of its nuclear arsenal, it could provide a unique opportunity to inspect facilities otherwise shielded from outside scrutiny.

The talks have mostly occurred during meetings of the P5 — the US, China, Russia, Britain, and France — though the significance may lie in what happens before the leaders meet again. Both China and the US possess large arsenals, with China estimated to have around 620 nuclear warheads and the US around 5,000. However, China is expanding its nuclear capability, including new missile systems and nuclear infrastructure.

The last US-Russia strategic arms-control agreement, New START, expired in February 2026, removing a major framework that had monitored the two countries' strategic arsenals.