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China’s Laser Weapons:
Future Potential, Future Tensions?
By Zi Yang
Synopsis
China’s increasingly sophisticated laser weapons arsenal is becoming a source of
concern for its strategic rivals. What are their future potential?
Commentary
IN MAY 2018, the United States Department of Defence lodged a formal protest to
China regarding a series of incidents in Djibouti where military-grade lasers were
directed at US aircraft from China’s naval base, some 13 kilometres from Camp
Lemonnier, the US’ only permanent base in East Africa. In one event, the pilot and co-
pilot of a US Air Force C-130 Hercules were dazzled with lasers and sustained minor
eye injuries.
Spokespersons for China’s Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs however have categorically denied US claims, labelling the concerns as “untrue
criticisms”. Meanwhile, rhetoric has been heating-up in the public opinion sphere. US-
based authors have criticised China’s insincerity in working to resolve the lasing issue,
while Chinese writers shot back at “false accusations” or outright celebrated the
triumph of Chinese laser weapons over “arrogant Americans” spying on China’s naval
base.
China’s Strides in Laser Weapons Technology
Looking beyond the war of words, it must be admitted that China has made impressive
strides in laser weapons technology. There are a few key questions that need to be
asked: Why does China value advances in laser weapons technology? How does
China classify its laser weapons? What laser weapons constitute China’s existing
arsenal? What is the future developmental trend of Chinese laser weapons?
