China Builds Giant Laser for Star Energy
Satellite images show China is building a massive laser facility in Mianyang. Experts say it could advance clean energy or nuclear weapons.
Energy Innovation & Infrastructure
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3 min
What’s Happening
A new X-shaped building in southwest China is likely a nuclear fusion research center. The facility uses high-powered lasers to crush hydrogen atoms. This process mimics how stars create energy.The site is 50% bigger than the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, which made a fusion energy breakthrough in 2022. Lasers in four "arms" will fire at a central chamber holding hydrogen fuel. This could produce energy bursts like tiny suns.
Why It Matters
Clean Energy Hope: Fusion could offer endless power without pollution. Unlike today’s nuclear plants, fusion doesn’t create long-lasting radioactive waste.
Weapons Concerns: The same lasers can simulate nuclear explosions. This helps improve bombs without breaking test bans. China’s nuclear arsenal has grown from 410 to 500 warheads since 2023.
Global Race
The U.S. pioneered laser fusion with NIF. But China’s faster construction and state funding worry experts. America spends half as much on fusion research as China.
China already runs the “artificial sun” EAST, a reactor that held super-hot plasma for over 1,000 seconds. Its new laser facility could push it ahead in both energy and military tech.
Mixed Reactions
Scientists: Larger lasers may boost fusion energy experiments.
Weapons Experts: Facilities like this let countries upgrade nukes secretly.
Neighbors: India fears China’s expanding nuclear gap.
Fact Check
Claim: China’s facility is 50% larger than the U.S. NIF.
True. Analysts confirmed its size using satellite images.Claim: Lasers can simulate nuclear tests.
True. Experts say this avoids treaty violations 1213.Claim: Fusion energy is near reality.
Mostly False. Breakthroughs exist, but usable energy is likely decades away.
Sources
CNN (Feb 5, 2025)
VOA Chinese (Jan 28, 2025)
Times of India (Jan 29, 2025)
Interesting Engineering (Jan 29, 2025)
Yahoo News (Feb 2, 2025)
TechNews Taiwan (Jan 29, 2025)
3-minute read | Simplified for clarity | Neutral reporting
