{{Short description|Chinese underground submarine base in Hainan}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Longpo Naval Base <br /> 龙坡海军基地 | location = Yalong Bay, Sanya, Hainan, China | image = Yalong Bay 2007.JPG | caption = The base viewed from the Yalong Bay Beach | image_map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|text=Yulin Naval Base|type=point|coord={{Coord|18.202778 |109.694722}}|title=Yulin Naval Base|description=Underground submarine base|zoom=SWITCH:13,11,6|switch=on map of Yalong Peninsula, on map of Yalong Bay Area, on map of Hainan Island}} | type = Military base | built = | materials = | used = 1955<ref>[http://www.niubb.net/a/2015/04-27/312984.html [榆林海军基地]海军南海舰队]</ref> – Present | controlledby = 28px PLA Navy | garrison = | commanders = | battles = }}
'''Longpo Naval Base''' ({{zh|c=|s=龙坡海军基地}}), also known as '''East Yulin Naval Base''' is a naval base for nuclear submarines along the southern coast of Hainan Island, China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/192573.php|date=May 3, 2008|title='Secret' Chinese Submarine Base on Hainan Island|publisher=The Jawa Report|access-date=2008-05-11|archive-date=2017-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505112820/http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/192573.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majornews/1917167/Chinese-build-secret-nuclear-submarine-base.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504060556/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majornews/1917167/Chinese-build-secret-nuclear-submarine-base.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-05-04|title=Chinese nuclear submarine base|date=2008-05-06|access-date=2008-05-11|publisher=Telegraph | location=London | first=Thomas | last=Harding}}</ref><ref>[https://thediplomat.com/2017/03/chinas-most-important-south-china-sea-military-base/ China’s Most Important South China Sea Military Base (The Diplomat, 2017)]</ref> This underground base has been reported by several intelligence agencies. The images collected by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in February 2008 shows that China constructed a large scale underground base for its naval forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2008/04/new-chinese-ssbn-deploys-to-hainan-island-naval-base.php|title=New Chinese SSBN Deploys to Hainan Island|date=April 24, 2008|access-date=March 21, 2009|publisher=FAS}}</ref> In August 2020, satellite imagery from Planet Labs appeared to show a Shang-class submarine entering the underground base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/21/asia/china-submarine-underground-base-satellite-photo-intl-hnk-scli/index.html|title=Satellite photos appear to show Chinese submarine using underground base|date=August 21, 2020|access-date=August 21, 2020|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
==Description== The caverns are capable of hiding up to 20 nuclear submarines based on reconnaissance satellites data collected. The harbor houses nuclear ballistic missile submarines and is large enough to accommodate aircraft carriers. The US Department of Defense estimated that China would have five Type 094 nuclear submarines operational by 2010 with each capable of carrying 12 JL-2 intercontinental ballistic missiles. Two 950 metre piers and three smaller ones would be enough to accommodate two carrier strike groups or amphibious assault ships.
==Location== The submarine base is located at the point in Chinese territory that is closest to the continental shelf. It is roughly {{convert|50|nmi|km}} from the base to the 200 meter isobath. It is {{convert|150|nmi|km}} to the closest of the disputed Paracel Islands or the city of Da Nang, Vietnam. Speculation has been raised that the base is intended to be expanded to include future capability for aircraft carrier groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Chinas_new_naval_base_triggers_US_concerns_999.html |title=China's new naval base triggers US concerns}}</ref>
The submarine base is only a few miles from the city of Sanya, a popular tourist destination and the site of a major planned cruise hub.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-02/20/content_7494494.htm |title=Sanya seeks cruise hub status }}</ref> The base is immediately next to the Yalong Bay National Resort District featuring many resort hotels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ylb.com/ |title=Yalong Bay Guide (Chinese) |access-date=2009-03-15 |archive-date=2009-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228063054/http://www.ylb.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=China's Most Important South China Sea Military Base: The Yulin Naval Base is shaping up to be the most strategically important military base in the South China Sea|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/03/chinas-most-important-south-china-sea-military-base/|publisher=The Diplomat|date=2017-03-09}}</ref>
== See also == * Jianggezhuang Naval Base, nuclear submarine base in Qingdao * Yulin Naval Base, traditional base in Sanya
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Skeptoid | id=4391 | number=391 | title= 8 Secret Bases: Real of Fictional?| date=December 3, 2013 | quote=5. Yulin Naval Base|access-date=}}
{{coord|18|12|10|N|109|41|41|E|display=title}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Sanya Category:People's Liberation Army Navy submarine bases Category:Military installations established in 1955 Category:South Sea Fleet