China Expands Nuclear Capabilities With Massive Fusion Research Facility

China is constructing a massive laser fusion research site in the southwestern city of Mianyang, a move that could advance both its nuclear weapons program and its pursuit of fusion energy, according to analysts examining satellite imagery. The facility, significantly larger than the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, raises concerns about Beijing’s expanding nuclear capabilities.

Satellite images of the site show a structure with four laser bays and a central experiment bay. This layout mirrors that of the NIF, which has been used for nuclear fusion research and military applications. Decker Eveleth, a researcher at CNA Corp, told Reuters that the experiment bay in China’s facility is 50% larger than its American counterpart.

While nuclear fusion is often associated with clean energy, experts warn that research at such facilities can also be used to refine nuclear weapons designs. William Alberque, a nuclear policy analyst at the Henry L. Stimson Center, noted that any nation with this type of facility is “probably” improving its nuclear arsenal. The U.S. and China are both signatories of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all nuclear explosions. However, laser fusion research falls outside the treaty’s restrictions.

China’s efforts in fusion research have accelerated in recent years. The country is investing around $1.5 billion annually in the field, nearly double the U.S. government’s fusion budget. This push comes as China rapidly expands its nuclear forces. The Pentagon’s latest report estimates that China’s operational nuclear warheads have surpassed 600, an increase of more than 100 in a year.

Chinese scientists have also made major advancements in sustaining nuclear fusion reactions. This month, researchers at the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science set a record by maintaining a fusion reaction at 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,066 seconds. The experiment, conducted using the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), broke their previous record of 403 seconds set in 2023.

Laser fusion allows scientists to replicate nuclear detonation conditions without conducting actual explosive tests. This makes it an attractive option for countries seeking to refine their nuclear weapons while staying within treaty limits. According to Alberque, China’s new facility could play a key role in this strategy.

The U.S. previously made a breakthrough in laser fusion at the NIF in 2022, achieving “ignition” — where more energy was produced than was used to start the reaction. This milestone was hailed as a step toward viable fusion energy, but experts caution that commercial-scale fusion power remains decades away.

The revelation of China’s new fusion research facility comes amid heightened concerns over its military expansion. The Chinese government claims its nuclear buildup is necessary for self-defense and to counter perceived threats from other nations. However, U.S. officials view China’s growing nuclear stockpile as a direct challenge to strategic stability.

China is also a member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a global initiative aimed at developing fusion energy. The ITER reactor, under construction in France, is expected to begin operations in 2039 at the earliest.

As China pushes forward with its nuclear and fusion research, questions remain about how its advancements will shape global security and the future of energy.

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