China Accelerates Nuclear Research With Massive Fusion Facility

China is developing a large nuclear fusion research site in Mianyang, a city long tied to advanced military projects. Analysts examining satellite images say the facility, significantly larger than the United States’ National Ignition Facility (NIF), could contribute to both energy development and nuclear weapons advancements.

The facility is designed with four laser bays and a central chamber, a layout similar to NIF, which is used for laser fusion research. Experts warn that such a structure allows for scientific experiments that, while aimed at clean energy, could also enhance nuclear weapons design without violating test bans.

China has made substantial investments in fusion technology, now spending around $1.5 billion per year — nearly twice what the U.S. government allocates for similar research. The country’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as the “artificial sun,” recently achieved a record-setting plasma reaction lasting over 1,000 seconds.

Beijing’s nuclear weapons stockpile has also been growing rapidly. According to the Pentagon, China now has more than 600 operational warheads, an increase of over 100 from previous estimates. The expansion has fueled concerns that the country is positioning itself for greater strategic leverage.

While the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty prohibits full-scale nuclear detonations, it allows for research using laser-based fusion technology. Experts say this loophole enables China to improve its nuclear capabilities without conducting actual explosions.

The NIF in California made headlines in 2022 when it successfully generated more energy from a fusion reaction than it consumed, a major milestone in nuclear research. The newly discovered site in Mianyang suggests China is aiming for similar breakthroughs, further advancing its role in fusion technology.