FT: US intelligence monitors China’s 1,500-acre wartime military command centre PHOTO

China is constructing an enormous military complex in western Beijing, which US intelligence sources believe will serve as a massive wartime command centre — far larger than the Pentagon. 

Satellite images, obtained by the Financial Times, reveal a 1,500-acre construction site located 30 kilometres southwest of Beijing, with deep excavation areas thought to be designed for large, hardened bunkers to safeguard Chinese military leaders during conflicts, including a potential nuclear war, Caliber.Az reports.

The new site, which could become the world’s largest military command centre, is believed to be at least ten times the size of the Pentagon. Construction began in mid-2024, and some intelligence analysts are calling it “Beijing Military City.”

This development occurs as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) advances its weapons capabilities and prepares for the PLA's centenary in 2027, with a specific focus on developing the ability to attack Taiwan.

The PLA is also rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and working to improve integration across its various branches, a challenge some experts argue has been a weakness compared to the US military. Dennis Wilder, former head of China analysis for the CIA, noted that this new underground command facility signals Beijing’s intention to create not just a world-class conventional force, but also a capable nuclear warfighting capacity.

The site, while not showing visible military activity, is heavily guarded with restricted access and warning signs against drones or photography. Unlike most large construction projects in China, there has been no public mention of this project, adding to its secrecy.

One former senior US intelligence official indicated that the new facility is intended to replace the Western Hills complex as China’s primary wartime command centre, which was built during the Cold War.

Meanwhile, there has been speculation in China about the project’s purpose, with some residents of the Qinglonghu area noticing demolished houses. Discussions on Chinese platforms like Baidu Zhidao have suggested the possibility of a "Chinese Pentagon."

Though some experts question the suitability of the site for underground bunkers, the scale of the project indicates it is intended for an important military command role, with experts pointing to its potential use as a new command centre for the PLA.

By Tamilla Hasanova