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Jan 30, 2025
Myind Staff

China’s Massive Nuclear Fusion Project in Making

China is building a massive research facility in Mianyang, the southwestern city for laser-ignited nuclear fusion. Experts believe this will help China improve its nuclear weapons and develop new, advanced methods for generating power. Satellite images show a large complex with four arms each containing laser bays and a central chamber for experiments with hydrogen isotopes. These isotopes such as deuterium and tritium, will be blasted with intense lasers, causing fusion reactions that produce energy. The design of China’s facility is similar to that of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, which achieved "scientific breakeven" in 2022 by producing more energy from fusion than was used by the lasers. Experts believe the experimental chamber at the Mianyang facility is about 50% larger than the one at NIF, which is currently the world’s largest of its kind. The development of this project suggests that China may be preparing for extensive experiments that could enhance its nuclear arsenal without the need for traditional nuclear tests. A key concern surrounding the facility is its possible use in nuclear weapons development. The technology behind laser-ignited fusion can help a country improve its ability to design and refine nuclear weapons without performing actual tests. Nuclear policy analyst William Alberque pointed out, "Any country with a NIF-type facility can and probably will be increasing their confidence and improving existing weapons designs" without needing to conduct tests. This capability could enable China to enhance its nuclear arsenal while complying with international testing bans. Beyond military uses, the facility could also play a role in advancing clean energy production. Fusion energy is considered a "holy grail" due to its potential to offer an almost unlimited power supply with minimal environmental damage. If the research succeeds, it could establish China as a global leader in energy innovation, potentially reshaping energy dynamics worldwide. China's new advanced facility has raised concerns about its potential uses and implications for regional security, particularly for India. China's nuclear capabilities are rapidly expanding, with its arsenal growing from 410 to 500 warheads in just a year. This growth is part of China's strategy to enhance its nuclear deterrent capabilities and projections suggest it could match the US or Russia's Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) by the end of the decade. The new facility will allow China to improve its nuclear weapons designs without conducting actual tests, enabling it to secretly build up its arsenal while adhering to international non-proliferation norms. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), this growth has made China a formidable nuclear power, far surpassing India's capabilities. India is estimated to possess 172 nuclear warheads, slightly ahead of Pakistan’s 170. Although India has made significant progress in upgrading its nuclear delivery systems, such as the Agni series of ballistic missiles, its overall stockpile is still relatively small compared to China's rapidly expanding arsenal. In addition to nuclear weapons, China surpasses India in nuclear power generation. India currently has 23 nuclear power reactors, contributing about 6 per cent of its total electricity. Meanwhile, China operates 55 reactors and is aggressively expanding its nuclear energy capacity as part of its larger plan to shift towards cleaner energy sources. China has also become the first country to commercialise third-generation nuclear reactors. Its nuclear expansion plans include constructing six to eight new reactors each year alongside operating advanced reactors like the Shidaowan-1, a fourth-generation gas-cooled reactor. Experts believe that the development of a new nuclear facility in China will significantly boost its capabilities in both nuclear weapons production and power generation, further widening the gap between China’s nuclear capabilities and India’s.

Jan 29, 2025
Myind Staff

China ramps up infrastructure buildup along the LAC despite ongoing diplomatic talks

Despite the disengagement of troops at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh in October 2024, China has persisted in strengthening its military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to defence sources, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remains actively engaged in infrastructure development at multiple strategic locations along the border, stretching from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. This ongoing buildup includes the construction of roads, bunkers, and other military facilities, signalling sustained efforts to enhance operational readiness in the region. A defence source told The Times of India (ToI), “The infrastructure development activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are continuing at multiple locations along the LAC. In the east, for instance, it is happening in Rongto Chu and other valleys.” The Yangtse region, a strategically significant area in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector, has witnessed heightened activity by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). India maintains a tactical advantage in the area by holding key high-ground positions along the ridgeline, providing clear visibility over Chinese deployments. In response, China has intensified its infrastructure development to bolster its presence. According to defence sources, the PLA has constructed a concrete road extending from Tangwu’s dual-use Xiaokang border village towards the LAC, facilitating enhanced logistical support. Additionally, existing dirt tracks have been upgraded to enable faster troop mobilisation, further reinforcing China’s military preparedness along the border. “Apart from new military camps and the concrete road constructed from its Tangwu dual-use Xiaokang border village towards the LAC in the area, the PLA has also upgraded a couple of dirt tracks there to ensure it can ‘surge’ troops in larger numbers if required,” a defence source stated. A satellite imagery analyst, known as @NatureDesai on X, reported that China has been constructing two new roads in Yangtse during the winter months, including one from Lampug towards Tangwu, to provide alternate connectivity and higher ground access to its troops. “It will provide the PLA an unobstructed view of Indian ground lines of communication in the area,” the analyst noted. In response to inquiries from The Times of India regarding China’s infrastructure expansion in the Yangtse region, an official Indian Army source confirmed that both India and China are continuing to develop infrastructure along the border in line with existing agreements. This ongoing development is part of the efforts by both nations to maintain operational preparedness and enhance connectivity in the region. “Both China and India are undertaking infrastructure development all along the northern borders as per the guidelines enunciated in various agreements and protocols between the two countries,” the Army source stated. He further added, “Any deviation from the agreements and protocols by the Chinese side, once observed, is being raised at appropriate levels during engagements through various existing mechanisms.” China’s infrastructure expansion extends beyond Arunachal Pradesh, with similar developments observed along the entire 3,488-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). This includes the western sector (Ladakh), central sector (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh), and eastern sector (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh). Reports highlight the construction of new roads, bridges, helipads, and gun positions, while PLA troops remain heavily deployed, accompanied by extensive weaponry. According to defence sources, the PLA is prioritising last-mile connectivity in regions such as Tawang, Naku La in north Sikkim, and other areas in the eastern sector. Long-standing friction points, including Yangtse, Asaphila, and the Subansiri river valley in Arunachal Pradesh—areas that have traditionally been under Indian control—continue to be sources of tension between the two armies. The latest round of diplomatic talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, held in Beijing, aimed at stabilising bilateral relations that have remained tense since the military standoff in eastern Ladakh more than four years ago. During the discussions, China emphasised the importance of properly managing differences and maintaining stability in their relations. As a positive outcome, both sides agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and reinstate direct flights between the two nations. However, despite these diplomatic strides, China has not yet consented to broader troop de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The India-China border standoff, which began after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in 2020, continues to persist. While disengagement has been achieved at certain friction points, such as Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs, tensions remain unresolved in areas like Depsang and Demchok. The December 2022 clashes in Yangtse further highlighted the fragility of the situation. China’s hesitation to fully de-induct troops following disengagement has kept military tensions high, with both countries maintaining substantial deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Although the October 2024 disengagement at Depsang and Demchok has enabled the resumption of patrolling and grazing activities, broader de-escalation continues to be a point of contention.