Facilities that appear to have been upgraded at Lop Nur nuclear test site in Western China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: (1) Sixth tunnel, (2) support and supply facilities, and (3) power transmission infrastructure. © Planet Labs

Satellite photos show China's new nuclear test site in Xinjiang

Experts ask whether a nuclear arms race with the U.S. is underway

Nikkei staff writers

August 1, 2022 02:00 JST

Updated on August 15, 2022 18:33 JST

TOKYO/NEW YORK -- China is expanding its nuclear test facilities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, an analysis of satellite photographs obtained by Nikkei suggests. Explore the full interactive graphic here.

Beijing halted explosive tests in the area a quarter of a century ago. Nikkei has viewed satellite photographs with a number of experts that appear to confirm China is strengthening its nuclear testing capability.