ZKZM-500
The ZKZM-500 is the subject of a July 2018 article in the South China Morning Post describing a laser gun purported to have been developed by Chinese researchers of the Xian Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shaanxi.[1] The article described the device in conflicting terms, both as "non-lethal" but also capable of "instant carbonisation of human skin and tissues".[1] SCMP also published a video demonstrating what appeared to be a laser setting fire to various objects at tens of meters distance.[2][3]
Outside of China, universal doubt was expressed regarding the existence of such a weapon.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]