Thread by @Nrg8000

Today the Washington Post's @GerryShih reported on a Chinese military base at the Kyzyl-Rabat Tajik Border Post, about 15km from the Chinese border, 12 from the Afghani border (google.com/maps/place/37%…) High-resolution satellite imagery reveals it dwarfs the nearby border post 1/

The Tajik border post has been there since at least 2003, and likely far longer, but by the beginning of 2015 small tent-like structures began to appear at its entrance (visible in the recent satellite imagery). By mid-2016 the Chinese base had begun construction. 2/

This fits the timeline put forward in the article, which quotes a Chinese soldier who said they had been there for 3 or 4 years. By the end of 2016 reports started to emerge that China was patrol upto - and perhaps within - Afghanistan. This photo was published in Oct 2016. 3/

What isn't mentioned in the article, however, is that it does not appear that the base's construction was completed until the end of 2017. High resolution satellite images from throughout 2017 show unpaved yards ect. This Planet Labs timelapse also shows this. 4/

Perhaps coincidentally, an increase in the pace of construction appears to coincide with the construction of political re-education camps in neighbouring Xinjiang. Possible Uighur infiltration is likely a significant reason for this base. 5/

In terms of details of the base, it appears to consist of three almost identical lots, each with a major building, a smaller prefab style building, solar panels and a well accessed utility (?) block behind. They are each completely isolated from the outer-perimeter of the base 6/

There is a helipad in the south of the base, however no satellite scenes show it occupied by a helicopter, rather it appears to largely be a parking lot for armoured vehicles similar to the one photographed in Oct 2016. 7/

The base is also surrounded by watch-towers, with at least 23 watchtowers for the 9 buildings, including one tower taller than any of the buildings, in the South-most yard. There are an additional 12 guard posts, four out front of each lot. 8/

From the satellite imagery alone it is hard to ascribe a purpose to this base, however the lack of any significant military hardware make it unlikely that this base will be used for significant military adventurism. 9/

From the many hours I've looked at buildings in Xinjiang, my best guess is that the larger buildings are for operational purposes, the prefab ones are used for storage/repair, and the back-lots are for utility, though that's just a guess. 10/

I should also add a copy of Gerry's photo which appears in the article, and shows the facility from the ground-perspective. I also just realised that I have rudely not linked the article yet, please read it and support the WP!
washingtonpost.com/amphtml/world/…

11/

The article that the outpost is purportedly for Training and Logistics purposes, while this is backed up by satellite imagery, available evidence suggests that regular patrols are also launched from the outpost. Some of these have been reported to cross into Afghanistan. 12/

The article also mentions a nearby training ground. I'll try to provide some insight into that tomorrow, when it isn't 4am, and perhaps some broader info about China's interests in Tajikistan and Central Asia. 13/13 (for now)