China Considers Vast Underground Network for Critical Infrastructure
BEIJING – China is exploring the construction of a large-scale underground network in its western regions to safeguard vital energy and defense facilities, according to proposals from leading energy experts. The initiative aims to bolster national security and resilience in a world facing increasing geopolitical tensions.
Zhang Shishu, chief technical expert at Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), a state-owned energy and infrastructure giant, has advocated for embedding critical infrastructure deep beneath the surface, making it less vulnerable to attack and harder to detect. His recommendations, published in February in the Bulletin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlight the strategic importance of subterranean facilities for storing oil, natural gas, and rare metals in key areas like southwestern hydropower hubs and northwestern oil and gas fields.
“Major national projects should prioritize relocating essential facilities below ground to shield them from potential attacks and make them less visible,” Zhang wrote. He further suggested building concealed tunnels with backup systems to significantly strengthen national defense and border security.
The proposal comes as China actively works to establish strategic reserves and backups for key industries in its interior provinces. This move is widely seen as a response to escalating competition with the United States and a desire to mitigate external risks, according to analysts.
PowerChina engineers, led by Zhang, developed the suggestions as part of a broader effort to enhance China’s long-term security and resource management. The initiative reflects a growing global trend toward protecting critical infrastructure from both physical and cyber threats.