China may have conducted low-level nuclear test, US claims

News:The United States has claimed that China may have conducted a low level zero yield nuclear test.

Facts:

• Zero yield: It refers to a nuclear test in which there is no explosive chain reaction of the type ignited by the detonation of a nuclear warhead.

Additional Facts:

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) 

• It is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes in all environments.
• It was negotiated at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.It was opened for signature in 1996.
• However,the treaty cannot enter into force until it is ratified by 44 specific nations.These States had nuclear facilities at the time the Treaty was negotiated and adopted.
• Among these, 36 states have ratified the treaty but five states namely China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the United States have signed but not ratified.The other three states India, North Korea and Pakistan have not yet signed it.