Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
In 2024, China unveiled a new technology called Crazy Li, which is an unprecedented combat laser capable of cutting through metal and potentially causing blindness on the battlefield. A U.S. satellite recently discovered something entirely different and much larger than anything previously known. In fact, it’s so big that it can be seen from space.
A giant development. China appears to be constructing a massive laser-ignited fusion research center in Mianyang in the southwestern province of Sichuan. This technology has the potential to provide clean and unlimited energy. However, it may also have military applications in the design and modernization of nuclear weapons, according to analysts from two independent intelligence organizations.
How did this come to light? Satellite images have shown a structure with four giant “arms” that will reportedly house laser bays. Meanwhile, the central experiment bay is said to hold fusion tests using hydrogen isotopes. Analyst Decker Eveleth from CNA Corp told Reuters that this facility is at least 50% larger than the one at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Livermore, California. This means the Chinese facility is the world’s largest nuclear fusion center.
The previously unreported Chinese project is called the Laser Fusion Major Device Laboratory. Its revelation has raised concerns in the international community regarding its true intentions.
How laser fusion works. Nuclear fusion involves joining hydrogen atoms to generate energy, mimicking the process that occurs in the Sun and other stars. Unlike nuclear fission, which is currently used in nuclear power plants, fusion doesn’t create long-lived radioactive waste and poses no risk of catastrophic disasters. In this type of facility, powerful lasers focus on a central chamber filled with hydrogen isotopes, compressing them until they fuse and release an immense amount of energy. This process is known as ignition.
The Chinese facility’s design features four large arms that channel the laser energy into a central tower, where the fusion chamber is located.
China vs. U.S. The NIF has been at the forefront of laser fusion research for decades. In 2022, it marked a significant milestone with the first fusion reaction that produced a net energy gain. However, this breakthrough didn’t account for the substantial energy required to power the lasers, meaning that fusion is still far from being a viable commercial source of electricity.
Meanwhile, China is rapidly advancing in this domain, adopting an aggressive approach to technology development that may allow it to close the gap. Some analysts emphasize that China’s determination and speed could provide it with a strategic advantage. Others warn that if the U.S. and its allies don’t increase their investment in nuclear fusion, China may win the race in a relatively short period. Notably, China’s ability to move projects from concept to construction is significantly faster than that of Western nations.
Energy or weaponry? Beyond their potential for generating energy, these kinds of facilities could play a crucial role in developing nuclear weapons. Both China and the U.S. are signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which prohibits testing atomic explosives. The issue is that these advanced facilities can simulate nuclear explosions without actual detonations, providing valuable data to enhance the design and effectiveness of nuclear warheads.
William Alberque, an analyst at the Henry L. Stimson Center, told CNN that any country possessing a facility like the NIF is likely to use its capabilities to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. Eveleth also agrees, suggesting that the Chinese project could lead to the development of more advanced weapons, including smaller and more efficient versions.
While some experts argue that this advancement may reduce the need for actual nuclear testing, it could also enable China to modernize its arsenal without conducting test explosions. As such, the Asian nation could avoid international sanctions.
What about a hybrid reactor? Another possibility being considered is that the Mianyang facility may be a conventional laser fusion facility as well as a hybrid fusion-fission reactor. This would greatly enhance its strategic potential because this type of technology combines nuclear fusion with fission to generate power more efficiently. According to Fusion Industry Association director Andrew Holland, if China successfully develops this kind of reactor, it’ll be more advanced than any similar facility in the West, solidifying its leadership in advanced nuclear energy.
Geopolitical implications. China’s progress in constructing this facility reflects an ambitious energy and military development program, marking a new phase in its technological competition with the U.S. Nuclear fusion has long been regarded as the “energy of the future” due to its ability to provide clean and virtually unlimited electricity. However, it’s also a powerful tool for national security and geopolitical strategy.
While the U.S. continues to lead in scientific advancements, China is accelerating its efforts and demonstrating much faster capacity for building and scaling these technologies. This development could shift the global balance of power, influencing not only the energy sector but also strategic and military dynamics.
It’s important to note that China has conducted 45 nuclear weapons tests in its history, a significantly smaller number than the U.S.’s 1,054 tests. In other words, China’s detonation database is more limited, making advanced fusion simulations crucial for improving its designs without the need for actual testing.
Image | Chinese Academy of Sciences | Planet Labs PBC
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