China Expands Nuclear Arsenal at Unprecedented Rate, Research Reveals

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has increased its nuclear arsenal by 100 warheads in the past two years, bringing its total to approximately 600. The report, released on June 16, 2025, emphasizes the emergence of a "dangerous new arms race" at a time when global arms control efforts are weakening. SIPRI Director Dan Smith noted that China could potentially reach 1,000 warheads within the next seven to eight years. The report highlights that nuclear-armed states, including the United States, Russia, and India, are engaged in modernization programs, developing new weapons while upgrading existing ones. SIPRI estimates the global nuclear inventory at about 12,241 warheads as of January 2025, with the United States and Russia possessing the vast majority of these weapons. The assessment raises concerns over diminished arms control agreements and an increase in nuclear rhetoric among nations. Experts predict continued growth in arsenals globally, reversing the previous trend of reductions seen since the Cold War's end. SIPRI emphasizes the importance of addressing these escalating tensions to maintain international security.

Researchers from Washington State University, Caltech, and the University of North Carolina have raised concerns about bat viruses that may be only a single mutation away from infecting humans, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The study focuses on HKU5 viruses, a lesser-known subgroup of merbecoviruses related to MERS-CoV, which has a high fatality rate. Lead researcher Dr. Michael Letko noted that while HKU5 viruses currently bind to the ACE2 receptor in bats, minor genetic changes could enable them to infect humans. Alarmingly, some HKU5 variants have already been found to infect minks in China, indicating interspecies transmission. Researchers utilized AlphaFold 3, an advanced AI tool, to predict possible mutations and interactions with human cells. Previous work by Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli highlighted that HKU5-CoV-2 could potentially infect human cells in lab settings. Dr. Letko emphasized that, while immediate panic is unwarranted, preparation is crucial as new variants could pose significant health risks in the future.

China's recent decision to impose export restrictions on rare earth materials, essential for manufacturing vehicles, is causing significant disruptions in the global auto industry. According to the International Energy Agency, China accounts for over 60% of rare earth mining production and 92% of refined output. Since April 2025, Chinese firms must obtain a license to export these materials, leading to substantial delays as only about a quarter of applications have been approved, states the European Association of Automotive Suppliers. Automakers in Europe are facing severe impacts, with reports indicating shutdowns of production lines due to critical shortages. Hildegard Muller, president of Germany's automotive industry association VDA, warned that continued delays could lead to substantial production losses. Companies like Japan's Suzuki and US-based Ford have already reported halts in production due to component shortages, highlighting the extensive reliance on China for these crucial materials. As discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping unfold, stakeholders remain hopeful for a potential easing of these restrictions, although a swift resolution seems unlikely, according to Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute.