- Satellite photos show China building a vast desert military complex — octagon-shaped bases, 80+ launch pads, bunkers and communications nodes — around its northwest ICBM silo fields.
- Analysts say the network appears designed to protect and operate silo-based missiles so China can reliably retaliate after a first strike, boosting its second‑strike capability.
- The scale and unusual octagon hubs surprised experts, with recent vehicle exercises, air defenses and comms gear suggesting a rapid, large upgrade to China’s nuclear infrastructure.
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