China is constructing a massive laser facility for nuclear fusion research.
Jason Deegan reports on this development.
Initially, the structure merely aroused curiosity, but experts now view it as a potential turning point—both for clean energy and covert weapons development. Specialists warn that the facility could shift the balance of power in global technological competition, raising questions about the future of energy and global security.
Discussing satellite images with a former military analyst, the article’s author observed the site’s unusual star-shaped design—four enormous “beams” converging toward a central point. Dubbed the Large Laser Fusion Laboratory, its reaction chamber is roughly 50% larger than the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF), a $3.5 billion-funded project that long dominated fusion research.
This new complex underscores China’s bold ambition to lead in this cutting-edge field.