FT: China is preparing for war by constructing a military center ten times larger than the Pentagon.

In the western part of China, the construction of the "Beijing Military City" is ongoing, covering an area of 607 hectares, which began in mid-2024.

Source. This is reported by Financial Times, citing American officials, sources within U.S. intelligence, and satellite imagery.

The construction is taking place against the backdrop of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) preparing new weapons and projects for the army's centenary in 2027. According to U.S. intelligence, President Xi Jinping has also ordered the military to establish the capability to launch an attack on Taiwan by that time.

One former high-ranking U.S. intelligence official informed the publication that the current army headquarters in central Beijing is inadequately protected for a command center.

The size and scale of the new facility suggest that it will serve as a primary command post during wartime.

One of the Chinese investigators who reviewed the satellite images told FT that the facility exhibits "all the signs of a secret military installation," including heavily reinforced concrete and deep underground tunnels.

"Nearly ten times larger than the Pentagon, it aligns with Xi Jinping's ambitions to surpass the U.S.," the researcher stated. "This fortress serves only one purpose – to act as a doomsday bunker for a more advanced and capable Chinese military."

It was previously reported that China is constructing at least five new special-purpose barges designed for amphibious operations. These barges could enable the PRC to land large mechanized units directly on Taiwan's roads.

Background. Recall that last week, the largest Chinese shipping company was added to the Pentagon's blacklist for the first time due to its potential ties to China's defense sector.

For more on this, see Mind's article "Why the U.S. is Increasing Its Focus on China's Maritime Cluster."