Rumors swirl after Xinhua reveals China's 'Area 51'

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2013-10-14

A photo published by Xinhua shows the words "those who steal secrets will 

be caught and executed" outside the entrance of the facility. (Internet Photo)

The rumor mill continue to spin about China's "Area 51" in the Badan Jilin Desert in Inner Mongolia after photos of the secret military site were revealed by the official news agency Xinhua, reports Duowei News, a media outlet operated by overseas Chinese.

Photos of this secret military site were first revealed by Xinhua on Aug. 19 in a report which said the site has never featured on any official maps approved by the government. The photos revealed a sign outside of the military base with the words "those who steal secrets will be caught and executed."

Internet users have since attempted to analyse the photos, speculating on the purpose of the base. However, in the Aug. 19 report Xinhua said that the secret military base is a missile range established for the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2003, and it is also used to train fighter pilots and conduct air combat exercises similar to the Red Flag exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

The photos show the gate of the missile range and also its radar facilities, aircraft in flight and even a rocket launcher. According to rumors, China's quick response satellite — the KZ-1 — was also assembled at the base.

Meanwhile, many believe that the Badan Jilin Desert base is only one of several secret bases across the country, Duowei News said.

A satellite image of the secret Badan Jilin Desert range. (Internet photo)

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