China's nuclear test series tests and detonations !style="background:#ffdead;" | Name [2] !style="background:#efefef;" | Date time (UTC) !style="background:#efefef;" | Location [3] !style="background:#ffdead;" | Elevation + height [4] !style="background:#efefef;" | Delivery, [5]
Purpose [6] !style="background:#efefef;" | Device [7] !style="background:#ffdead;" | Yield [8] !style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable" | Fallout [9] !style="background:#ffdead;" class="unsortable" | References !style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable" | Notes
|
| format=dmy|1964|10|16}} 07:00:?? | 40.81246|89.7901|name=Project 596|display=inline}} | 000909|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|102|m|abbr=on}} | tower, | NGB | {{sort|000220000|22 kt}} | [10][11][12] | 1550|kg|abbr=on}}. No plutonium was available at that time. |
| format=dmy|1965|5|14}} 02:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-2|display=inline}} | 001307|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}} | air drop, | NGB | {{sort|000350000|35 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Militarized version of 596 dropped by Hong-6. |
| format=dmy|1966|5|9}} 08:00:?? | 40.7864|89.727|name=CHIC-3|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | Soviet Sloika design | {{sort|002500000|250 kt}} | [10][11][12] | 640|ft|abbr=on}} white circle. |
| format=dmy|1966|10|27}} 01:10:?? | 41.30782|100.31528|name=Launch_CHIC-4|display=inline}}, elv: {{convert|1035|+|0|m|abbr=on}};
Detonation over Area D (Drop Area), Lop Nur, China ~ {{coord|41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-4|display=inline}} | 000569|}}N/A + {{convert|569|m|abbr=on}} | high alt rocket (30–80 km),
weapons development | Dongfeng-2 warhead "548" | {{sort|000120000|12 kt}} | [10][11][12] | 894|km|abbr=on}} east of detonation. |
| format=dmy|1966|12|28}} 04:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-5|display=inline}} | 000909|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|102|m|abbr=on}} | tower, | {{sort|003000000|300 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Boosted fission (U235); test used to confirm the design principles of a two-stage device. |
| format=dmy|1967|6|17}} 00:19:08.2 | 40.744|89.775|name=CHIC-6|display=inline}} | 003767|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|2960|m|abbr=on}} | parachuted, | NGB/DF-3 warhead | {{sort|033000000|3.3 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] | China's first full-yield multi-stage thermonuclear test (U235). |
| format=dmy|1967|12|24}} 07:30:22.1 | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-7|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | {{sort|000200000|20 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Fizzled thermonuke. Exact time of 07:30:22.1 verified by USAF AFTAC duty operator William Scott. Recorded air burst signal scaled by Scott the next day at Turkmen Deh, Iran. Erroneous reports exist that show a time of 04:00:00. |
| format=dmy|1968|12|27}} 07:30:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-8|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | NGB/DF-3 warhead | {{sort|030000000|3 Mt}} | [10][11][12] | First use of plutonium. |
| format=dmy|1969|9|22}} 16:14:59.21 | 41.376|88.318|name=CHIC-9|display=inline}} | 001440|}}{{convert|1440|m|abbr=on}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000192000|19.2 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Tunnel test in Nan Shan (South Mountain) that vented to surface. |
| format=dmy|1969|9|29}} 08:40:12.36 | 40.722|89.515|name=CHIC-10|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | NGB/DF-3 warhead | {{sort|030000000|3 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] |
| format=dmy|1970|10|14}} 07:29:56.91 | 40.52|89.779|name=CHIC-11|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | NGB/DF-3 warhead | {{sort|034000000|3.4 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] |
| format=dmy|1971|11|18}} 06:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-12|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | cratering, | {{sort|000200000|20 kt}} | [10][11][12][50] | Only Chinese cratering test. |
| format=dmy|1972|1|7}} 07:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-13|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | tactical NW? (KB-1?) | {{sort|000080000|8 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Air dropped from Qiang-5 attack jet. See story of launch:[10] |
| format=dmy|1972|3|18}} 06:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=CHIC-14|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | {{sort|001700000|170 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Fizzled thermonuke. |
| format=dmy|1973|6|27}} 03:59:46.29 | 40.7985|89.8091|name=(15)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | NGB/DF-3 warhead | {{sort|030000000|3 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] | High altitude explosion. |
| format=dmy|1974|6|17}} 05:59:52.72 | 40.518|89.619|name=(16)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | BM warhead ? | {{sort|010000000|1 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] |
| format=dmy|1975|10|27}} 00:59:58.23 | 41.375|88.326|name=(17)|display=inline}} | 001440|}}{{convert|1440|m|abbr=on}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000025000|2.5 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | In a tunnel in Bei Shan (North Mountain). |
| format=dmy|1976|1|23}} 06:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=(18)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][11][12] |
| format=dmy|1976|9|26}} 06:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=(19)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | {{sort|002000000|200 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Fizzle. |
| format=dmy|1976|10|17}} 04:59:58.8 | 41.716|88.3727|name=(20)|display=inline}} | 000000|}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000026000|2.6 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] |
| format=dmy|1976|11|17}} 06:00:12.7 | 40.696|89.627|name=(21)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | air drop, | DF-5 warhead ? | {{sort|040000000|4 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Largest Chinese test. |
| format=dmy|1977|9|17}} 07:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=(22)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][11][12] |
| format=dmy|1978|3|15}} 05:00:?? | 41.5|88.5|name=(23)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | {{sort|000110000|11 kt}} | [10][11][12] |
| format=dmy|1978|10|14}} 00:59:58.01 | 41.5398|88.767|name=(24)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | {{sort|000034000|3.4 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | First test in a vertical shaft. |
| format=dmy|1978|12|14}} | 41.5|88.5|name=(25)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][11][12] |
| format=dmy|1979|2|2}} | 41.5|88.5|name=unnumbered failed test|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | underground, | {{sort|000010000|1 kt}} | [97] |
| format=dmy|1979|9|13}} | 41.5|88.5|name=(26)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | parachuted, | {{sort|000000000|no yield}} | [10][11][12][97] | Parachute failure, bomb crashed without detonation. |
| format=dmy|1980|10|16}} 04:30:29.67 | 40.719|89.651|name=(27)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | atmospheric, | ballistic missile warhead ? | {{sort|010000000|1 Mt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Last atmospheric test in the world. |
| format=dmy|1982|10|5}} | 41.5|88.5|name=(28)|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | underground, | {{sort|000070000|7 kt}} | [10][11][12] | Attempted neutron bomb, fizzle. |
| format=dmy|1983|5|4}} 04:59:57.82 | 41.7227|88.3653|name=(29)|display=inline}} | 000000|}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000010000|1 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Second attempt for neutron bomb, failure. |
| format=dmy|1983|10|6}} 09:59:58.05 | 41.54124|88.7207|name=(30)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][11][12][28] | Third neutron bomb attempt, failure. |
| format=dmy|1984|10|3}} 05:59:57.99 | 41.5709|88.7269|name=(31)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][11][12][28] | Fourth neutron bomb attempt, failure. |
| format=dmy|1984|12|19}} 05:59:58.34 | 41.7167|88.3981|name=(32)|display=inline}} | 000000|}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000150000|15 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Fifth neutron bomb test, successful. |
| format=dmy|1987|6|5}} 04:59:58.26 | 41.55338|88.74093|name=(33)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | Ju Lang-1 warhead ? | {{sort|002500000|250 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Development of 2-300 kt warhead for JL-1 SLBM. |
| format=dmy|1988|9|29}} 06:59:57.97 | 41.725|88.3588|name=(34)|display=inline}} | 000000|}} + | underground tunnel, | tactical ERW ? | {{sort|000030000|3 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Final proof test of neutron bomb. |
| format=dmy|1990|5|26}} 07:59:57.94 | 41.56476|88.71912|name=(35)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][11][12][28] | Unknown test device. |
| format=dmy|1990|8|16}} 04:59:57.7 | 41.54298|88.73356|name=(36)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | JL-1 warhead ? | {{sort|001890000|189 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Development of 2-300 kt warhead for JL-1 SLBM. |
| format=dmy|1992|5|21}} 04:59:57.45 | 41.5437|88.7641|name=(37)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | ballistic missile warhead ? | {{sort|006600000|660 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | China's largest underground test. |
| format=dmy|1992|9|25}} 07:59:58.47 | 41.7167|88.3767|name=(38)|display=inline}} | 000000|}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000080000|8 kt}} | [10][11][12][28] | Aspherical primary for DF-31; with this test stockpile development was reportedly complete. |
| format=dmy|1992|11|2}} | 41.5|88.5|name=unnumbered failed test|display=inline}} | 000807|}}{{convert|807|m|abbr=on}} + | underground, | {{sort|000010000|1 kt}} | [97] | Test of insensitive high explosives in primary. |
| format=dmy|1993|10|5}} 01:59:56.6 | 41.59|88.70312|name=(39)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft,
safety experiment | DF-31 warhead ? | {{sort|000800000|80 kt}} | [10][11][12][153] | Aspherical primary for DF-31. |
| format=dmy|1994|6|10}} 06:25:57.9 | 41.5287|88.7122|name=(40)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | DF-31 warhead ? | {{sort|000900000|90 kt}} | [10][12][50][157] | Aspherical primary for DF-31. |
| format=dmy|1994|10|7}} 03:25:58.1 | 41.5734|88.72084|name=(41)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft,
safety experiment | DF-31 warhead ? | {{sort|000900000|90 kt}} | [10][12][153][157] | Aspherical primary for DF-31. |
| format=dmy|1995|5|15}} 04:05:57.8 | 41.5524|88.7524|name=(42)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft,
safety experiment | DF-31 warhead ? | {{sort|000950000|95 kt}} | [10][12][153] | Aspherical primary for DF-31. |
| format=dmy|1995|8|17}} 00:59:57.7 | 41.53983|88.75255|name=(43)|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft,
safety experiment | DF-31 warhead ? | {{sort|000900000|90 kt}} | [10][12][157] | Prompted Japanese Diet to lodge a protest and freeze grants to China. |
| format=dmy|1996|6|8}} 02:55:57.9 | 41.5768|88.68729|name=(44) - 1|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | {{sort|000500000|50 kt}} | [10][12][50][157] | Test of insensitive high explosives in primary, DF-31 warhead. |
| format=dmy|1996|6|8}} 02:55:57.9 | 41.5768|88.68729|name=(44) - 2|display=inline}} | 001689|}}{{convert|1689|m|abbr=on}} + | underground shaft, | {{sort|000000000|unknown yield}} | [10][12][50] | Test of insensitive high explosives in primary, DF-31 warhead. |
| format=dmy|1996|7|29}} 01:48:57.8 | 41.7161|88.3757|name=(45)|display=inline}} | 000000|}} + | underground tunnel, | {{sort|000030000|3 kt}} | [10][12][50] | Test of insensitive high explosives in primary, DF-31 warhead. |
1. ^{{cite web| title=China's nuclear tests| publisher=Monterey Institute of International Studies| url=http://cns.miis.edu/archive/country_china/coxrep/testlist.htm| accessdate=15 August 2014}} Discrepancies between this list and the list below include two unnumbered failed tests and a test that later was disclosed to be a salvo test of two devices.
2. ^The US, France and Great Britain have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions – Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1 – 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
3. ^Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
4. ^Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example, Plumbbob/John. No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
5. ^Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
6. ^Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
7. ^Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
8. ^Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
9. ^Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.
10. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.airspacemag.com/as-interview/a-amp-s-interview-yang-guoxiang-10170841/ | title=Recalling the H-Bomb that Almost Backfired – Yang Guoxiang, one of China's top test pilots, tells the story |publisher=Air & Space Magazine |date=August 2009 |author=Bob Bergin |accessdate=3 July 2015 }}
11. ^Includes all tests with potential for nuclear fission or fusion explosion, including combat use, singleton tests, salvo tests, zero yield fails, safety experiments, and bombs incapacitated by accidents but still intended to be fired. It does not include hydronuclear and subcritical tests, and misfires of a device which was subsequently fired successfully.
12. ^Number of tests which would have been in violation of the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, such as atmospheric, space or underwater tests. Some "peaceful use" cratering tests which should have been violations were protested, and later quietly dropped.
13. ^"Small" refers to a value greater than zero but less than 0.5 kt.
14. ^Some yields are described like "< 20 kt"; such are scored at one half of the numeric amount, i.e., yield of 10k in this example. "Unknown yield" adds nothing to the total.
15. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 {{cite book| last1=Norris| first1=Robert S.| first2=Andrew S.| last2=Burrows| first3=Richard W.| last3=Fieldhouse| year=1994| title=Nuclear Weapons Databook, Vol. 5: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons| publisher=Westview Press| location=Boulder, CO}}
16. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 {{cite journal| date=June 1998| title=China's nuclear tests: dates, yields, types, methods, and comments| publisher=Center for Nonproliferation Studies| url=http://cns.miis.edu/archive/country_china/coxrep/testlist.htm| accessdate=20 January 2014}}
17. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 {{cite techreport| last1=Yang| first1=Xiaoping| first2=Robert| last2=North| first3=Carl| last3=Romney|date=August 2000| title=CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3)| publisher=SMDC Monitoring Research}}
18. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 {{cite journal| last=Gupta| first=Vipin| year=1995| title=Locating nuclear explosions at the Chinese test site near Lop Nor| doi=10.1080/08929889508426423| journal=Science and Global Security| volume=5| pages=205–244| url=http://scienceandglobalsecurity.org/archive/1995/08/locating_nuclear_explosions_at.html| accessdate=20 January 2014}}
19. ^1 2 3 4 5 {{cite web|publisher=SMDC |year=2004 |title=Nuclear explosion database |url=http://www.rdss.info |accessdate=3 January 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107163417/http://rdss.info/ |archivedate=7 January 2014 }}
20. ^1 2 3 {{cite techreport|last1=Andryushin |first1=L. A. |first2=N. P. |last2=Voloshin |first3=R. I. |last3=Ilkaev |first4=A. M. |last4=Matushchenko |first5=L. D. |last5=Ryabev |first6=V. G. |last6=Strukov |first7=A. K. |last7=Chernyshev |first8=Yu. A. |last8=Yudin |year=1999 |title=Catalog of Worldwide Nuclear Testing |publisher=RFNC-VNIIEF |location=Sarov, Russia |url=http://www.iss-atom.ru/ksenia/catal_nt/ |accessdate=18 December 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219131618/http://www.iss-atom.ru/ksenia/catal_nt/ |archivedate=19 December 2013 }}
21. ^1 2 3 {{cite techreport| first1=Won-Young| last1=Kim| first2=Paul G.| last2=Richards| first3=Vitaly| last3=Andrushkin| first4=Vladimir| last4=Ovtchinnikov| date=1 April 2001| title=Borovoye digital seismogram archive for underground nuclear tests during 1966-1996| publisher=LDEO| url=http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/Monitoring/Data/Brv_arch_ex/brv_text_table.pdf|accessdate=13 December 2013 }}
22. ^1 2 3 4 {{cite techreport| last=Lewis| first=Jeffrey| year= 2004| title=The minimum means of reprisal: China's search for security in the nuclear age| type=Ph. D. dissertation| url=http://www.cissm.umd.edu/papers/files/the_minimum_means_of_reprisal.pdf| accessdate=20 January 2014}}