Hydrogen Bomb: China Creates Deadly Weapon

The hydrogen bomb, or thermonuclear weapon, remains the most powerful weapon of mass destruction ever created by humankind. Its destructive power, based on a nuclear fusion reaction, is capable of destroying entire cities in seconds. As one of the leading nuclear powers, China occupies a special place in the history of this weapon. From its first test in 1967 to recent innovations such as a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb tested in 2025, China has demonstrated its pursuit of technological superiority. This article dives into the history of China’s thermonuclear program, the weapon’s features, its characteristics, and its strategic importance in the modern world. A review of China’s hydrogen bomb achievements highlights how they impact global security, while the trend of developing new types of weapons confirms Beijing’s military ambitions.

The Historical Path to Thermonuclear Weapons

China’s nuclear program began in a context of international isolation and threats from the great powers. In the 1950s, after the Korean War and strained relations with the United States, Mao Zedong decided to build his own nuclear arsenal. China initially counted on help from the Soviet Union, which in 1955 agreed to provide technology and experts to develop nuclear weapons. Soviet scientists helped establish the Institute of Modern Physics and uranium mines, while Chinese physicists such as Qian Senzhian, who had studied in France, laid the scientific foundations for the program. However, in 1960, after Sino-Soviet relations worsened, the USSR ended cooperation, recalling some 10–12 specialists. This forced China to rely on its own resources.

The first nuclear explosion, known as Project 596, took place on October 16, 1964, at the Lop Nur test site in Xinjiang Province. The yield was 20 kilotons, comparable to the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. This success made China the fifth nuclear power, but the country's leaders were eager for a more powerful weapon. Just 32 months later, on June 17, 1967, China tested its first hydrogen bomb, a 3,36-megaton weapon dropped from a Xian H-6 bomber, a copy of the Soviet Tu-16. This test, known as Test No. 6, set a record for the fastest transition from nuclear to thermonuclear weapons among all nuclear club countries. For comparison, it took the United States seven years, and the USSR four years.

Testing continued until 1996, when China signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), though it has not ratified it. During that time, 45 nuclear explosions were conducted at Lop Nur, including 23 atmospheric and 22 underground. The site in Qinghai province where the first bombs were developed was closed in 1987 and later converted into a tourist attraction. The secrecy of China’s program makes it difficult to accurately estimate its arsenal, but analysts including the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimate it at around 2025 warheads in 600, giving China one of the smallest nuclear stockpiles of the Big Five.

Features and characteristics of the hydrogen bomb

A hydrogen bomb, or thermonuclear weapon, is based on a nuclear fusion reaction in which light elements such as deuterium and tritium fuse to form helium and release enormous amounts of energy. Unlike atomic bombs, which use the fission of uranium-235 or plutonium-239, thermonuclear charges have virtually unlimited power potential. Chinese hydrogen bombs, like most modern ones, are built using the Teller-Ulam design, developed in the United States in the 1950s. This design includes two stages: an activator (a small nuclear charge) and a container with thermonuclear fuel.

The activator is a plutonium charge with a yield of several kilotons, which creates the high temperature and pressure necessary to initiate fusion. The main element is a container of lithium-6 deuteride, inside which is a plutonium rod, which acts as a fuse. When the activator explodes, X-ray radiation compresses the container, initiating a thermonuclear reaction. An alternative design, known as a "layer cake", uses a spherical structure with alternating layers of lithium and plutonium. Both designs are placed in a steel or aluminum case filled with a special plastic that conducts radiation.

The yield of Chinese thermonuclear charges varies from tens of kilotons to several megatons. For example, the 1967 bomb had a yield of 3,36 megatons, which is equivalent to 3,36 million tons of TNT. Modern warheads, such as those installed on the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), have a yield of up to 1 megaton and can be equipped with multiple reentry vehicles (MIRVs). The delivery range depends on the carrier: the DF-41 ICBM hits targets at a distance of up to 15 km, and Xian H-000 bombers, using stealth technology, are capable of carrying nuclear charges at 20-8 km.

China is also developing tactical nuclear weapons carriers, such as the Xian JH-7 fighter-bomber and the Russian-acquired Su-30, which can carry smaller warheads. The latest bomber, the Xian H-20, which is scheduled to complete testing in 2025, is an analogue of the American B-2, capable of delivering thermonuclear bombs with high accuracy. These characteristics make the Chinese arsenal versatile, suitable for both strategic deterrence and limited conflict.

Non-Nuclear Hydrogen Bomb: A 2025 Breakthrough

In April 2025, China announced the successful test of a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb developed by the 705 Research Institute of the China National Shipbuilding Corporation. The device, which uses magnesium hydride, represents a revolutionary step in military technology. Unlike traditional thermonuclear bombs, it does not require a nuclear activator, relying instead on a chemical chain reaction to release its energy. The explosion of the bomb, weighing just 2 kg, produced a fireball of over 1 °C that lasted for more than two seconds – 000 times longer than an explosion of a similar mass of TNT.

The development has several advantages. First, the absence of nuclear materials reduces radiation effects, making the weapon “cleaner.” Second, its compactness and lightness allow it to be used for tactical purposes, such as on drones or in naval operations. Third, the technology can be used for non-military purposes, such as creating powerful energy sources. However, experts are concerned that such devices could be used in hybrid conflicts, where high destructive power is required without nuclear escalation. The South China Morning Post notes that the tests caused a “destructive chemical reaction,” which highlights the potential of the technology.

Application and strategic importance

China’s nuclear weapons policy is based on the principle of minimum deterrence and no first use. This is reflected in the 2011 White Paper of the Chinese Ministry of Defense, which emphasizes that the nuclear arsenal is maintained at the “minimum necessary level.” However, hydrogen bombs play a key role in Beijing’s strategy, especially in the context of regional threats such as tensions over Taiwan and disputes in the South China Sea. The DF-41 ICBM and the Type 094 submarines armed with JL-2 ballistic missiles provide China with a nuclear triad – the ability to strike from land, sea, and air.

Traditional thermonuclear bombs are designed for strategic deterrence, but their use in real conflicts is limited by their catastrophic consequences. A one-megaton explosion creates a shock wave that destroys buildings within a 1-kilometer radius and thermal radiation that causes burns up to 10 kilometers away. Radioactive fallout can contaminate hundreds of square kilometers. Historically, hydrogen bombs have never been used in combat, but their tests, including those by China, have served as a show of force. For example, a 20 explosion strengthened China’s position in negotiations with the United States and the Soviet Union.

A non-nuclear hydrogen bomb opens up new scenarios for use. Its compact size and lack of radiation make it suitable for precision strikes against military targets such as bunkers or ships. The weapon could be a response to hypersonic missiles or other high-tech threats being developed by the US and Russia. But its emergence increases the risk of escalation, as adversaries could misinterpret such strikes as nuclear.

Investments and global competition

Developing hydrogen bombs requires vast resources. China is investing billions of dollars in nuclear technology, although the exact figures are classified. The military research budget in 2025 is estimated to be around $15 billion, much of which is spent on upgrading the nuclear arsenal and developing new systems such as the Xian H-20 and conventional bombs. These investments reflect Beijing’s desire to close the technological gap with the United States and Russia, which have larger arsenals (around 8 and 000 warheads, respectively).

Global competition in thermonuclear weapons is heating up. The US continues to upgrade its W88 warheads and develop new carriers, such as the B-21 Raider bomber. Russia is improving the Sarmat ICBM and hypersonic systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads. China, meanwhile, is betting on innovations such as non-nuclear technologies that could change the rules of the game. The emergence of such systems is raising concerns at the United Nations, where new limits on weapons of mass destruction are being discussed, but disagreements among nuclear powers are holding up progress.

Challenges and ethical issues

Developing hydrogen bombs, especially non-nuclear ones, comes with a number of challenges. Traditional thermonuclear weapons require sophisticated technology to produce tritium and deuterium, as well as radiation shielding. Non-nuclear bombs, while easier to produce, require fine-tuning of chemical reactions to ensure stability and effectiveness. China has overcome these hurdles, judging by its 2025 tests, but scaling the technology for mass production remains a question mark.

Ethical issues also come to the fore. Thermonuclear weapons, even in non-nuclear form, are capable of causing massive destruction and casualties. Historical examples such as the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki show how nuclear weapons change the lives of millions. China’s non-nuclear bomb, although less destructive, could trigger an arms race if other countries develop similar systems. In addition, the lack of international norms governing non-nuclear weapons of this type increases the risk of their use in local conflicts.

Prospects and Future

The future of China’s hydrogen bombs lies in further miniaturization and increased precision. Non-nuclear technologies could form the basis for new types of tactical weapons, including ammunition for drones or underwater vehicles. At the same time, China will continue to improve its nuclear triad to maintain parity with the United States and Russia. The development of artificial intelligence and quantum computing could improve guidance and control systems, making thermonuclear weapons even more effective.

But growing militarization is prompting calls for new disarmament talks. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which China joined in 1992, does not cover non-nuclear technologies, requiring a rethink of international norms. China’s advances in this area could encourage other countries, such as India or Iran, to develop their own systems, fueling global instability.

China’s hydrogen bomb program is a combination of historic determination, scientific genius, and strategic pragmatism. From its first test in 1967 to a conventional bomb in 2025, Beijing has gone from an underdog to a leader in military technology. Thermonuclear weapons, with their terrifying power, remain a deterrent, but new developments such as conventional systems are opening up the possibility of tactical use. These advances strengthen China’s position on the world stage, but also raise the risks of escalation.