China Builds Military Command Center 10 Times Bigger Than Pentagon, Report Says
Beijing, Feb 01, 2025 — In a dramatic display of military ambition, China is reportedly constructing a vast new command center near Beijing that is expected to be nearly 10 times the size of the Pentagon. Codenamed “Beijing Military City,” the facility is being built on a 1,500-acre site located about 30 km southwest of the capital and is designed to house large buildings and hardened bunkers intended to protect top Politburo officials, including President Xi Jinping, in the event of a conflict—even a nuclear war.
According to a report in the Financial Times, which cited US intelligence officials and unnamed Chinese researchers, construction on the massive project began in mid-2024. Recent satellite images have revealed deep excavation holes across the sprawling site, which stretches over four kilometers. Signs warning against drone flights and photography have been posted around the area, while guards at the perimeter have strictly prohibited entry and refused to comment on the project.
“Nearly 10 times bigger than the Pentagon, it’s fitting for Xi Jinping’s ambitions to surpass the US,” an unnamed Chinese researcher reportedly told the publication. “This fortress only serves one purpose, which is to act as a doomsday bunker for China’s increasingly sophisticated and capable military.”
The details surrounding the construction have been tightly guarded. A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington stated that the embassy was unaware of the specifics of the project. Meanwhile, military officials are noticeably absent from the construction site, intensifying speculation about its purpose.
The new facility is set against the backdrop of a broader modernization of China’s military infrastructure. Currently, China’s primary command center is located in the Western Hills—a facility built during the Cold War era. Dennis Wilder, former head of China analysis for the CIA, commented on the significance of the new command center:
“If confirmed, this new advanced underground command bunker for the military leadership, including President Xi as the chairman of the Central Military Commission, signals Beijing’s intent to build not only a world-class conventional force but also an advanced nuclear warfighting capability.”
This development comes as part of China’s rapid efforts to expand and modernize its military arsenal. According to Pentagon estimates, Beijing is on track to possess around 1,500 operable nuclear weapons by 2035, potentially matching the nuclear firepower of the United States. The massive scale of the new command center is seen by experts as a physical manifestation of China’s drive to cement its status as a preeminent global military power.
The Pentagon, one of the world’s largest office buildings and the nerve center of the US Department of Defense, stands in stark contrast to China’s planned “Military City.” While the Pentagon remains a symbol of American military might, the construction of a facility so vastly larger underlines the intensity of Beijing’s ambitions.
As international observers continue to monitor developments in China’s military expansion, the Beijing Military City raises critical questions about future shifts in global power dynamics. With the upcoming advancements in military technology and nuclear capabilities, the strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region is poised for significant transformation.