China Builds Massive Laser Fusion Facility Amid Nuclear Expansion

China is constructing a massive laser fusion research center in Mianyang, a city tied to advanced defense and nuclear programs. The facility, revealed through satellite images, appears to be significantly larger than the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in the United States. Analysts say its design suggests it could be used for both nuclear energy development and weapons research.

The site consists of four large laser bays positioned around a central chamber where fusion experiments will likely take place. While fusion research is often promoted as a clean energy solution, the same technology can be used to refine nuclear weapon capabilities. Defense experts warn that such facilities can improve warhead designs without violating test bans.

China has ramped up investment in fusion technology, allocating around $1.5 billion annually — nearly twice what the U.S. spends on similar programs. Chinese researchers recently achieved a breakthrough with their Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), sustaining extreme plasma temperatures for over 1,000 seconds.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have raised alarms about China’s expanding nuclear arsenal. A recent Pentagon report estimated that China now possesses more than 600 operational warheads, a dramatic increase in just a year. Intelligence assessments suggest Beijing is rapidly developing the infrastructure to produce even more.

China and the U.S. have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which prohibits full-scale detonations. However, laser fusion research is allowed, creating a legal avenue for countries to advance nuclear technology without conducting live tests. Analysts argue this enables China to refine its arsenal while avoiding international scrutiny.

The NIF in California previously made headlines for generating more energy from fusion than the energy used to create the reaction. China’s new facility in Mianyang appears to be aimed at achieving similar results, advancing both its energy goals and potential military applications.