In recent months, satellite imagery and statements by intelligence analysts have revealed a vast construction project on the outskirts of Beijing that officials in the United States and independent experts believe will become the world’s largest military command center. Sometimes referred to by analysts as “Beijing Military City,” the site lies about 30 kilometers southwest of the Chinese capital and spans roughly 1,500 acres (6 square kilometers)—making it ten times larger than the Pentagon.
Construction at the site began in mid-2024, and satellite images reveal at least 100 cranes operating over a five-square-kilometer area. Large-scale excavation is underway to develop extensive underground infrastructure—reinforced bunkers, underground passageways, and other hardened facilities—indicating a focus on protecting Chinese military leadership during potential conflicts, including nuclear war. This facility is expected to replace China’s aging ‘Western Hills’ command center, built decades ago at the height of the Cold War.
Analysts suggest that Beijing Military City will provide:
• Greater Protection
Deep tunnels and bombproof bunkers are designed to withstand bunker-buster munitions and potentially nuclear strikes.
• Advanced Communications
Modern networks will improve integration among the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) various branches—an area often seen as a key gap compared to the United States.
• Centralized Command
The new complex will likely serve as China’s primary wartime command center, consolidating leadership operations in one protected location.
This undertaking aligns with President Xi Jinping’s broader push to modernize the PLA ahead of its centenary in 2027. In recent years, China has been:
• Expanding its nuclear arsenal to establish a more credible deterrent
• Developing new weapons systems, including mobile piers for amphibious operations
• Enhancing interoperability across the army, navy, and air force
• Refining strategies for a potential operation against Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its sovereign territory
Military analysts emphasize the significance of deep underground tunnels and reinforced structures, underscoring China’s intent to build both a world-class conventional force and a sophisticated nuclear warfighting capability.
While Chinese officials have not provided detailed statements about the new command center, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that China’s defense policy remains “defensive in nature.” U.S. and allied intelligence agencies, however, are closely monitoring the construction. Some experts argue that this project—together with China’s intensified efforts in semiconductor technology and strategic raw materials—reflects a more assertive stance, particularly regarding Taiwan.
From a regional perspective, Beijing Military City could heighten China’s deterrence posture, influencing U.S.-China relations and regional power dynamics. If fully operational before 2027, the complex may further complicate any direct confrontation by providing enhanced leadership protection and command capabilities.
China’s construction of a large-scale underground headquarters—likely to become the world’s biggest military command center—offers a compelling glimpse into the future of Chinese defense strategy. By combining hardened infrastructure with cutting-edge communications systems, Beijing appears determined to protect its leadership against even the most advanced modern munitions.
Although officials in China insist the development is purely defensive, “Beijing Military City” will undoubtedly affect the strategic calculus in East Asia and beyond. As tensions between the United States and China intensify—both economically and militarily—the completion of this imposing new command complex stands to reshape the balance of power in the region.
