China Expands Nuclear Research With Massive Laser Fusion Facility

China is building a large-scale nuclear fusion research facility in Mianyang, a city known for military and scientific projects. The site, which closely resembles the United States’ National Ignition Facility (NIF), is estimated to be about 50% larger than its American counterpart, raising concerns over its potential dual use in both energy and weapons development.

Satellite images show the facility consists of four laser bays surrounding a central chamber where experiments will be conducted. Experts say the technology involved allows researchers to study controlled fusion reactions, which could be used for clean energy or to improve nuclear warhead designs.

China has heavily increased its investment in nuclear fusion, now spending approximately $1.5 billion per year, nearly double what the U.S. allocates to similar research. The country’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has made headlines by maintaining extreme temperatures for over 1,000 seconds, setting new global records in plasma containment.

Analysts warn that research at the Mianyang site could assist China in advancing its nuclear arsenal without violating international treaties. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty prohibits full-scale nuclear tests, but research involving laser-driven fusion is allowed, providing a legal path for countries to refine nuclear technology.

Recent U.S. intelligence assessments indicate China now possesses more than 600 operational nuclear warheads, a dramatic increase from previous years. The expansion has fueled concerns that Beijing is strengthening its nuclear forces at an accelerated pace.

The NIF in the U.S. achieved a breakthrough in 2022 when it generated more energy from fusion than the input energy required, a milestone in nuclear research. China’s new facility in Mianyang appears designed to pursue similar advancements, further intensifying the global race for nuclear fusion technology.

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