China Ramps Up Military Infrastructure as Xi Jinping Orders PLA to Prepare for War

Beijing, Feb 4,2025 – Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a stark warning, urging the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to accelerate preparations for potential conflict. This directive is materializing through extensive military fortifications, including reinforced air bases and the construction of a massive underground command complex near Beijing.

Recent satellite imagery has unveiled large-scale efforts to harden PLA installations. Among these, the most striking is a new command and control center under development, located approximately 25-30 km west-southwest of central Beijing. According to the Financial Times, this facility spans around 1,500 acres—ten times the size of the Pentagon—and is set to become the world’s largest military command center.

A Wartime Bunker for China’s Military Leadership

Construction at the site, which began in mid-2024, includes extensive underground bunkers believed to be capable of withstanding nuclear strikes. Over 100 cranes are reportedly in operation daily, with a vast subterranean network potentially linking multiple command nodes. Given China’s ongoing economic slump, the absence of commercial marketing or residential real estate development at the location suggests a highly classified military project.

Despite a lack of visible military guards, security measures are stringent checkpoints restrict access, drone surveillance is prohibited, and even nearby tourist sites have been closed. Satellite images indicate deep excavation work, likely designed to create a fortified operational base for China’s military command. Analysts suggest this facility will eventually replace the aging Western Hills Joint Combat Command Center, Beijing’s primary underground military headquarters dating back to the Cold War.

Strategic Timing: Xi’s 2027 Military Ambitions

The development coincides with the Communist Party’s push to modernize the PLA by 2027—coinciding with the army’s centennial and Xi’s goal of achieving full military readiness for a potential Taiwan invasion. The President has ordered the PLA to “accelerate the integrated development of mechanization, informatization, and intelligentization,” while modernizing military strategy, organization, and weaponry.

Dennis Wilder, former head of China analysis for the CIA, stated that if confirmed, the new underground command bunker signals Beijing’s intent to not only build a world-class conventional force but also develop an advanced nuclear warfighting capability.

China’s Expanding Nuclear and Missile Capabilities

China’s military expansion extends beyond command infrastructure. The PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) is undergoing an unprecedented build-up, with nuclear warheads expected to increase from the current 600 to over 1,000 by 2030. The Pentagon’s 2024 Military and Security Developments Report confirmed the existence of three new missile silo fields housing 320 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos. Additionally, China is doubling its DF-5 ICBM silos to 50 and deploying DF-41 missiles in silos, railway systems, and road-mobile launchers.

China is also shifting to a “launch-on-warning” nuclear posture, keeping some warheads on heightened alert to enable rapid counterstrikes. A large laser-ignited fusion research center in Mianyang, Sichuan, is believed to be supporting the development of next-generation nuclear warheads. The facility, modeled after the US National Ignition Facility but 50% larger, will likely enable Beijing to refine its nuclear arsenal without actual detonation tests.

PLA Fortifying Air Bases for a Future Conflict

In parallel, the PLA has intensified efforts to fortify its airbases, anticipating aerial warfare in a future Indo-Pacific conflict. A Hudson Institute report published last month found that China has more than 3,000 aircraft shelters—more than double the number a decade ago. The PLA has also expanded its runways and taxiways by nearly 75% nationwide, reinforcing its ability to sustain long-term air operations.

By contrast, US military investments in airfield resilience have been comparatively minimal. Within 1,000 nautical miles of Taiwan, China has constructed 134 military air bases, including 650 hardened aircraft shelters, whereas the US has made only modest additions to its airfield infrastructure in the same region. Analysts warn that this imbalance increases the risk of China launching a preemptive strike against US and allied airbases in the event of conflict.

A Clear Warning for the Indo-Pacific

Xi’s push to reinforce China’s military infrastructure—both above and below ground—sends a clear signal that Beijing is preparing for the possibility of high-intensity warfare. While China insists on its “defensive” military posture, ongoing nuclear and airpower expansion suggests otherwise. As tensions escalate over Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region, the world must closely watch Beijing’s next moves. Input From Agency and Outlet.