China is reportedly building a massive laser-ignited fusion research center in the southwestern city of Mianyang, according to experts from two independent research organizations. The facility, which resembles the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, could contribute to both nuclear weapons research and clean energy exploration.

Satellite images analyzed by Decker Eveleth, a researcher at the U.S.-based CNA Corporation, reveal the facility’s distinctive layout, featuring four laser bays and a central experiment chamber designed to house hydrogen isotopes for fusion experiments. The experiment bay is estimated to be about 50% larger than the NIF, currently the world's largest laser fusion research facility.

While the development of such facilities is not prohibited under international treaties, experts note that they can provide valuable data for nuclear weapons design without the need for live nuclear tests. William Alberque, a nuclear policy analyst at the Henry L. Stimson Center, stated that countries with such facilities could enhance their confidence in existing weapons and improve future designs without violating the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

China has conducted significantly fewer nuclear tests compared to the United States—45 tests versus 1,054—leading some experts to believe that laser fusion research may not provide China with a major strategic advantage. However, the new facility, named the 'Laser Fusion Major Device Laboratory', appears to be a significant investment in advancing China’s fusion research capabilities.

Similar laser fusion facilities exist in other nuclear-armed nations, including France, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Experts highlight that while the research is vital for nuclear weapons maintenance, it also has potential applications in clean energy development.

Omar Hurricane, chief scientist for inertial confinement fusion at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, acknowledged that advances in fusion technology are inevitable, stating, "It's kind of hard to stop scientific progress and hold information back. People can use science for different means and different ends, and that's a complicated question."

China’s foreign ministry did not comment on the facility, and the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence also declined to respond. However, construction documents obtained by analysts indicate that the project has been under development for several years.

The construction of this research center underscores China’s growing investment in advanced nuclear and energy research, raising both scientific and geopolitical considerations.