Smog is good defense against laser weapons, theorist says

Screenshot of the video of programme.

(ECNS) -- A military theorist and commentator said on television recently that smog is the best defense against laser weapons from the United States.

Zhang Zhaozhong, theorist and commentator at PLA National Defense University, talked about the shortcomings of laser weapons on a program on China Central Television (CCTV), saying that the metallic particles in smog can obstruct laser.

When the PM 2.5 in the air reaches 600 microgram per cubic meter, the smog can be a highly effective defense, he added.

"Without smog, laser weapons have an effective range of 10 kilometers, but it has only one kilometer in smog," he said. "What's the use of such weapons?!"

As a frequent commentator on CCTV, Zhang is known for his successful predictions about the Gulf War and wrong predictions during the CCTV live broadcast of the Iraq War.

Beijing on Thursday issued a yellow alert for heavy air pollution over the next three days, the first one since the city issued contingency plans for air pollution last year, the Beijing News reported.

Beijing issues alert as smog smothers N China

The Chinese capital on Thursday issued a yellow alert for heavy air pollution over the next three days, with children and the elderly being advised to stay indoors.