Chinese defence chief skirts flashpoints at Xiangshan Forum ahead of Xi-Trump summit
With just a week to go until Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Washington for his first state visit in more than a decade, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun opted for the diplomatic path in his address to China’s premier security conference on Wednesday. Speaking at the annual Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Dong took veiled swipes at Washington and its allies but – unlike last year – appeared to…
As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to embark on his first state visit to Washington in over a decade, Defence Minister Dong Jun delivered a diplomatic address at the Xiangshan Forum, focusing on avoiding flashpoints. Dong sidestepped contentious topics like Taiwan and the South China Sea, opting for more measured language.
He proposed sharing military knowledge and assistance to foreign armed forces, a first for top Chinese officials. This comes amid growing confidence in China's military capabilities and improved ties with the US. Dong described the global landscape as complex and stressed the need for an equal and inclusive multipolar world based on dialogue and partnership.
While he didn't single out any country, Dong alluded to US actions in the Middle East, urging major powers to uphold multilateralism and resist provocative moves. Beijing sees itself as a responsible major power capable of stabilizing conflicts, while Taiwan remains a core interest and potential flashpoint.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
