China Urged to Build ‘Underground Great Wall of Defence’ in Crisis-Hit World

As geopolitical tensions intensify across multiple regions, security analysts in China are increasingly calling for the construction of what they describe as an “underground great wall of defence.” The proposal, discussed in military and strategic circles, reflects growing concern that future conflicts may involve advanced weapons capable of targeting surface infrastructure with unprecedented precision.
In recent years, the global security environment has become more unpredictable. Conflicts in different parts of the world, along with rising competition between major powers, have prompted governments to reassess their defence strategies. For Chinese planners, the challenge is how to protect critical military and civilian infrastructure in an era where satellites, long-range missiles, and cyber capabilities can expose and strike vulnerable targets quickly.
Some Chinese strategists argue that building a vast network of underground facilities could significantly enhance the country’s resilience in the event of a major crisis. The concept draws inspiration from the historical legacy of the Great Wall of China, which once served as a physical barrier against invasion. Instead of towering stone fortifications stretching across mountains, the proposed modern version would consist of hidden bunkers, tunnels, command centres, and protected logistics hubs built beneath the surface.
Advocates say the underground network could safeguard key defence assets, communications infrastructure, and emergency command systems. By placing vital facilities underground, planners believe they can reduce vulnerability to aerial bombardment, missile strikes, and surveillance technologies that rely heavily on surface detection.
The idea also reflects lessons learned from conflicts in which military bases and infrastructure have been rapidly destroyed through precision strikes. Modern weapons systems allow adversaries to locate and target installations with high accuracy, making traditional above-ground defences less effective. Underground construction, analysts say, offers a practical way to preserve operational capability even under intense attack.
China already has experience with large-scale underground projects. During earlier decades of heightened global tension, the country built extensive tunnels and shelters designed to protect cities and strategic facilities. In major urban centres, some underground spaces were developed as dual-purpose structures capable of serving both civilian and military roles. These facilities could function as emergency shelters during crises while remaining integrated with everyday infrastructure such as transport networks and storage facilities.
In the modern era, the concept is being revisited with updated technology and engineering methods. Advanced construction techniques make it possible to create deep, reinforced chambers capable of withstanding powerful blasts. At the same time, improved ventilation, communications systems, and automated logistics could allow underground complexes to operate for extended periods during emergencies.
Strategic thinkers in China suggest that such an approach would not only provide protection but also strengthen deterrence. If potential adversaries believe that key command structures and assets are protected beneath layers of rock and reinforced concrete, they may be less likely to attempt a decisive first strike.
The concept of hardened underground infrastructure is not unique to China. Several major powers have invested in similar facilities designed to protect sensitive operations. However, analysts say the scale envisioned in Chinese discussions could be far larger, reflecting the country’s vast territory and its ambition to ensure long-term strategic stability.
Supporters of the idea argue that the investment would also benefit civilian resilience. In addition to military uses, underground infrastructure could serve as emergency shelters for large populations during disasters or wartime conditions. Such facilities might include storage areas for essential supplies, medical centres, and protected transportation corridors capable of maintaining movement even if surface routes were disrupted.
Nevertheless, the proposal raises important questions about cost, practicality, and long-term strategy. Building massive underground networks across multiple regions would require enormous financial resources and years of complex engineering work. Some observers suggest that a more balanced approach, combining underground protection with advanced air defence systems and diplomatic engagement, may be a more sustainable path.
Another consideration involves transparency and international perception. Expanding hidden defence infrastructure could fuel concerns among rival powers and potentially contribute to an arms race in protective military technology. Governments around the world are already closely monitoring how emerging technologies and defensive measures may alter the balance of power.
Despite these debates, the conversation reflects a broader shift in global defence thinking. Military planners everywhere are grappling with the reality that modern warfare increasingly targets critical infrastructure and command networks. Protecting these systems has become just as important as developing offensive capabilities.
For China, the call to build an “underground great wall of defence” symbolizes a desire to adapt historical lessons to contemporary security challenges. The original Great Wall represented a determination to guard the nation’s borders against external threats. The modern interpretation, buried deep beneath the surface, would aim to shield vital systems from the dangers of a technologically advanced battlefield.
Whether the concept evolves into a full-scale national project or remains primarily a strategic idea, it highlights the urgency felt by defence planners in an increasingly uncertain world. As global tensions continue to fluctuate, governments are exploring new ways to ensure survival and stability in the face of emerging threats.
In that context, the vision of an underground defence network reflects both the anxieties and ambitions shaping modern security policy—an attempt to create a hidden shield capable of protecting a nation even in the most challenging scenarios.