Just southwest of Beijing, a vast construction project is taking shape—one that experts say could redefine the balance of power in Asia and beyond. According to satellite imagery and expert analysis reported by The Financial Times and The Express, China is building a massive "military city" in Qinglonghu, about 20 miles from the capital. The scale is staggering: at 1,500 acres, the complex is more than ten times the size of the Pentagon.
Evidence of the project first emerged in January 2025, when satellite images revealed at least 100 cranes dotting the landscape. The site, dubbed "Military City Beijing" by outside observers, is believed to contain extensive underground networks and bunkers. According to U.S. intelligence experts cited by The Express, these facilities are intended to shelter China's top leadership and military command in the event of conflict—including nuclear war.
"This is not just a show of force; it's a signal that China is preparing for a doomsday scenario," one researcher told News.com.au. The construction, which experts estimate began in mid-2024, comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea and as Taiwan braces for a potential incursion by mainland forces.
The new military city is expected to replace the aging Western Hills complex, built during the Cold War, as China's primary wartime command facility. This move reflects President Xi Jinping's broader ambition to modernize and expand the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by 2049, the centenary of the PRC's founding. U.S. experts believe the project is part of Xi's goal to compete directly with the United States, Russia, and other NATO powers for global military dominance.
But that's not the only development raising eyebrows in defense circles. In parallel with the construction of the military city, China has unveiled its most formidable naval asset to date: the aircraft carrier Fujian. Weighing in at 72,500 tons, the Fujian represents a technological leap for the PLA Navy and a bold statement of intent on the world stage.
According to reports in Global Times—the Communist Party's official newspaper—the Fujian has recently completed its first round of military drills. Footage released by state media shows fighter jets taking off, patrolling contested waters, and landing safely on deck. The carrier's advanced electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS) is a feature shared only with the U.S. Navy's USS Ford, allowing it to launch heavy aircraft at high speeds. In contrast, France's Charles de Gaulle and India's Vikrant still rely on slower, steam-powered catapults.
The Fujian can carry up to 40 combat aircraft, including next-generation J-35 stealth fighters, J-15D electronic warfare planes, and KJ-600 radar early warning aircraft. This arsenal gives China the ability to project power far from its shores. "The Fujian and its aircraft have reached world-class levels," Global Times declared, underscoring the significance of the carrier's debut.
However, the ship does have its limitations. Unlike its American counterpart, the Fujian is not nuclear-powered and must rely on tankers for refueling—a logistical vulnerability if conflict were to break out in distant waters. Still, the carrier's capabilities mark a dramatic increase in China's reach. According to news.com.au, the Fujian was featured at a major military parade in Beijing in August 2025 and was observed by Japan's military navigating into the East China Sea just weeks before September 28, 2025.
The carrier's maiden voyage has not gone unnoticed in Washington. U.S. military analysts, including Ben Lewis of the United States Naval Institute (USNI), say the Fujian is nearly ready for full commissioning. Alex Luck of Naval News pointed out that while the Fujian is equipped with three catapults, only one appeared operational in recent footage. Luck also noted the presence of three KJ-600 airborne early warning and control (AEWC) planes on deck, suggesting that China is prioritizing its carrier-borne early warning capabilities—a key advantage over older Chinese carriers like the Liaoning and Shandong.
The Fujian's journey has been closely watched by regional militaries. After passing through the contested Taiwan Strait, the carrier proceeded to its new home port on Hainan Island, on the northwestern edge of the South China Sea. This region has long been a flashpoint, with multiple countries—China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and others—laying claim to overlapping maritime territories. The carrier's deployment to Hainan places it within striking distance of Taiwan, the Philippines, and even U.S. bases in the Pacific.
For Beijing, these moves are part of a wider strategy to secure its interests and deter foreign intervention, especially as it faces growing pressure over its claims in the South China Sea and its stance on Taiwan. President Xi's military modernization drive has included not just hardware but also reforms in doctrine and command structure. The construction of the military city and the commissioning of the Fujian are seen as complementary steps in this broader campaign.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is taking note. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that a high-level meeting of American military leaders is scheduled for September 30, 2025, at Quantico, Virginia. While the agenda remains undisclosed, the timing—coming just as the Fujian nears commissioning and the military city in Beijing takes shape—has fueled speculation about how the U.S. will respond to China's rapid military buildup.
Some analysts warn that the arms race between Washington and Beijing is entering a dangerous new phase. The recent arms sales deal between China and Russia, as reported by The Express, has added another layer of complexity, with fears that Beijing is stockpiling advanced weapons in preparation for a potential conflict over Taiwan. At the same time, the unveiling of the Fujian and the construction of the military city suggest that China is determined to secure its leadership and command capabilities, even under the most extreme circumstances.
As the world watches these developments unfold, one question looms large: Is the region on the brink of a new era of great-power confrontation, or are these moves intended as a deterrent against escalation? For now, the answer remains uncertain. But one thing is clear—China's military ambitions are no longer hidden in the shadows. They're being built, quite literally, for all the world to see.
With new command centers rising from the earth and supercarriers prowling contested seas, the stage is set for a dramatic reshaping of the global security landscape.