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Chinese Nuclear History

Portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, 1972.

East Asia

China

Soviet soldier taking a photograph of another soldier in Red Square, Moscow, 1959

Eastern Europe

Soviet Union

Sino-Soviet Relations

Chinese Nuclear Testing

Photograph of Zhou Enlai in 1972.

Zhou, Enlai

1898- 1976

Sino-Soviet Alliance, 1950-1959

Sino-Soviet Split, 1960-1984

China-Southeast Asia Relations

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Southeast Asia

Indonesia

The Taj Mahal Shrine in Agra, India.

South Asia

India

Portrait of Mao Zedong from propaganda poster

Mao, Zedong

1893- 1976

Aerial view of National Mall

North America

United States

Pyongyang photographed in March 20212

East Asia

North Korea

Photograph fo Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing

China. Foreign Ministry

1949-

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China. Embassy (Indonesia)

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China. Embassy (Soviet Union)

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Nikita Khrushchev at the UNGA, 1962.

Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeevich

1894- 1971

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October 21, 1964	National Intelligence Estimate NIE 4-2-64, 'Prospects for a Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Over the Next Decade' This US analysis of the likelihood of nuclear proliferation during the next decade was finished only days after the first Chinese nuclear test on 16 October. The report analyses the implications of this test, as well as programs in India, Israel, Sweden, West Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and others. The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) argued that India was the only new state likely to develop nuclear weapons, concluding that “there will not be a widespread proliferation …over the next decade.”
May 21, 1965	Politburo Talk by Zhou Enlai on Receiving a Group of Central Military Commission Operational Meeting Comrades Speaking at the Politburo, Zhou Enlai explains how nuclear weapons capabilities have won China newfound admiration in the non-aligned world and instilled fear in the other nuclear powers, particularly the United States and Soviet Union.
May 11, 1965	Letter from Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong on the Nuclear Test Zhou Enlai informs Mao Zedong that favorable weather conditions will allow them to carry out the aerial nuclear test explosion. An official statement for the press has also been prepared.
May 10, 1965	Letter from Zhang Aiping, et al., to Zhou Enlai and Luo Ruiqing on the Nuclear Test On May 10, Chinese military officials confirm that they are prepared to detonate an aerial nuclear explosion but, due to unfavorable weather conditions, must postpone the test until May 12 or 13.
November 3, 1964	Record of Zhou Enlai’s Discussion with British Minister President of the Board of Trade Douglas Jay Having successfully executed a nuclear test explosion, Zhou Enlai describes the Chinese government’s motivation for pursuing atomic weapons capabilities. Zhou argues that the Three-Nation Treaty (Limited Test Ban Treaty) is insufficient, that the United States remains committed to nuclear proliferation despite the agreement, and that China seeks to end the monopoly that other nuclear powers have thus far exploited. Zhou also calls for the organization of a global, truly equal summit at which to discuss the issue of nuclear weapons testing and proliferation.
October 11, 1964	Letter from Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong, et al., on the Nuclear Explosion Zhou Enlai notifies Mao Zedong and other prominent political and military officials that preparations have been made to detonate the explosion between October 15 and 20, depending on weather conditions. Attention is also given to the high level of secrecy surrounding the explosion, methods of data collection, publicity, and the political consequences of the explosion.
September 21, 1964	Letter from Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong on the Nuclear Explosion Zhou Enlai offers multiple dates on which the first nuclear test explosion may take place and asks Mao Zedong for his preference.
September 5, 1963	Zhou Enlai’s Discussion with a Kenyan African National Federation Delegation (Excerpt) Zhou Enlai criticizes the Three-Nation Treaty (Limited Test Ban Treaty) of 1963, arguing that it signifies an attempt by the US, UK, and USSR to monopolize nuclear weapons. Enlai warns that the agreement will allow larger nuclear countries to commit “nuclear blackmail” against smaller, non-nuclear countries.
July 16, 1961	Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Decision with respect to Several Issues Concerning Strengthening Atomic Energy Industrial Infrastructure In order to rapidly strengthen its atomic energy industry, the Central Committee proclaims that China must dedicate further resources exclusively to nuclear-related activities. For this purpose, the report calls for the mobilization of students, scientists, public health officials, and industrial laborers; and the provision of factories, equipment, medicine, and hospitals.
July 18, 1960	Mao Zedong’s Talk at the Beidaihe Central Committee Work Conference (Excerpt) Mao Zedong declares that, in the absence of Soviet assistance, China must rely only upon itself in its pursuit of technological modernity and socialism.