China has publicly acknowledged its large-scale construction of nuclear missile silos, with state television CCTV airing a documentary about the program.
An officer from the engineering unit of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLA), Cui Daohu, discussed his role in building these missile positions during an interview with CCTV, referring to them as China’s “strategic trump cards.” He noted that the schedule was extremely tight, but they managed to complete the work on time. “We are building homes for missiles. Every position we complete means more strategic weapons can be deployed and put on combat alert earlier…” he said in the documentary “On the Road to Victory,” which was part of CCTV’s program commemorating the 99th anniversary of the PLA.
Expansion of nuclear capabilities
Although Cui did not specify the type of missile, he mentioned that the team faced challenges in installing an extremely heavy main component and precisely assembling two large sections on-site “without the slightest scratch.” This suggests the construction of silos for the two-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of the DF-5 series. “We must conquer mountains and deserts, ensuring that our country can play its highest strategic trump cards,” he added.
According to Cui, the completed missile positions are “well adapted” to “withstand strikes” and “support counterstrikes.” These comments align with China’s stated nuclear policy of “no first use” and its aim to ensure a reliable second-strike capability. The DF-5 series includes China’s liquid-fueled, silo-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. Their latest variant, the DF-5C, was showcased during the Victory Day military parade in Beijing in September, boasting a “strike range that covers the entire globe.” The DF-5 missiles are the largest in the Dongfeng family and are launched from silos.
Evidence from satellite images
One of Cui’s most notable hints about the silo program was the use of a popular military meme: “Dongfeng express, delivery guaranteed.” This play on words with courier service slogans has been widely used by PLA military accounts when discussing Dongfeng missiles.
Since 2021, governments, think tanks, and media outlets in other countries have cited satellite images as evidence that China is actively expanding its network of ICBM silos in its northwestern regions. In the “2025 China Military Power Report,” the Pentagon estimated that more than 300 silos had been built at three main sites—Hami (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region), Yumen (Gansu Province), and Yulin (Inner Mongolia).
Source: South China Morning Post
