

Military theorist Zhang Zhaozhong kindly expounded on another surprising benefit of smog during an interview on CCTV recently when he claimed that the haze is China’s best defense against America’s laser weapons.

Zhang, who is also a professor of military strategy at PLA National Defense University, claimed that laser weapons have an effective range of 10 kilometers ordinarily and only one kilometer in smoggy weather. “What’s the use of such weapons?” he asked.

Zhang explained that the metallic particles in smog can obstruct laser, and when the air’s PM2.5 count reaches 600 microgram per cubic meter (which, as we’ve seen in the past, is not uncommon) it’s “almost impossible” for the laser to get through.

Zhang, a frequent commenter on CCTV, is known for his far-reaching predictions and commentary. He once claimed that “knowledge is not the most important thing” when it comes to being a good TV commentator.



By Isabel Quan





Follow @shanghaiist



