Archive · 6 Oct 2026
US and China Discuss Reciprocal Visits to Nuclear Sites
The United States and China are talking about letting officials visit some of each other’s nuclear facilities.
CNN says China first suggested the idea in meetings earlier this year.
The talks are still informal and have not led to an agreement.
Possible visits could include US national laboratories and similar facilities in China.
The United States has also shown openness to discussing visits to nuclear testing sites.
The proposal is separate from an arms-control treaty and would not require either country to reveal its whole nuclear arsenal.
The discussions come as both countries are concerned about nuclear risks, and a US-Russia arms-control agreement called New START expired in February 2026.
China says its nuclear arsenal is smaller than those of the United States and Russia, and it has resisted joining negotiations on the same terms.
Trump and Xi reportedly did not discuss nuclear site visits directly when they met.
CNN reports that US and Chinese officials are discussing reciprocal visits to nuclear facilities, with talks described as informal and preliminary.
China first raised the idea in meetings with US officials earlier this year; discussions include US national laboratories and Chinese counterparts.
The United States plans to continue raising the proposal, and has indicated openness to discussing access to nuclear testing sites.
The discussions have mainly taken place alongside meetings of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members; Trump and Xi reportedly did not discuss site visits directly.
The talks come amid concerns about nuclear competition, after New START expired in February 2026 and as China expands its nuclear capabilities.
- Who
- US and Chinese officials; China initially raised the proposal.
- What
- They are discussing possible reciprocal visits to nuclear facilities.
- When
- The idea was raised earlier this year, and Washington plans to continue pressing it in coming months.
- Where
- Talks have mainly taken place alongside meetings of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members; proposed sites include US national laboratories and Chinese counterparts.
- Why
- The visits could provide a limited measure of transparency amid concerns about nuclear risks and a possible arms race.
US position
China position
Trilateral arms-control negotiations
US position
President Donald Trump has advocated arms-control negotiations involving the United States, China, and Russia.
China position
Beijing says its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than those of the United States and Russia, making participation in such talks unnecessary.
Nuclear site visits
US position
Washington intends to keep pressing for reciprocal visits and has indicated openness to discussing access to nuclear testing sites.
China position
China initially raised the possibility of reciprocal visits, but the reports do not specify its current position on the proposal.
- Status
- Informal and preliminary discussions, according to people familiar with the matter cited by CNN
- Origin of proposal
- China initially raised the idea in meetings with US officials earlier this year
- Facilities discussed
- US Department of Energy national laboratories and equivalent Chinese facilities
- Additional access discussed
- The United States has indicated openness to discussing access to nuclear testing sites
- Discussion setting
- Mainly on the sidelines of meetings involving the five permanent members of the UN Security Council
- New START
- The article says the agreement expired in February 2026
- Reported arsenal estimates
- The article cites estimates of around 620 Chinese warheads as of July 2026 and about 5,000 total US warheads
