US scientists are concerned as they have found that China is building a nuclear missile silo field in the west of the country, according to BBC. A report from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) revealed satellite images from Xinjiang province, which suggest the site could house about 110 silos when it is finished.

Expressing concern, US defence officials said it is the second silo field reported to be under construction in western China in the two months.

Also Read| In surprise move, North and South Korea restore cross-border communication

In June, the Washington Post newspaper published about 120 silos spotted at a site in a desert area in Yumen, in Gansu province.

The FAS, releasing its report on Monday, said the new site at Hami, about 380 km (240 miles) north-west of Yumen, was at a much earlier stage of development.

According to Pentagon report of 2020, China will double its stockpile of nuclear warheads.

The comes as the US and Russia prepare for arms control talks. US Deputy Secretary of State will meet Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, making a first step to revive stalled negotiations on reducing nuclear arms.

Also Read| Why China won’t be pleased with Blinken meeting Dalai Lama’s representative

Meanwhile, China has not taken started any negotiations for arms control.

Voicing its concern, the US Strategic Command, tweeted, this was second time in two months that people have discovered what the US has been saying all along and it is a growing threat to the world. 

According to analysts, the US has approximately 3,800 warheads.

The silo field in Xinjiang was detected using commercial satellite imagery, but higher-resolution pictures were later provided by Planet, a satellite imaging company.