Dong Jun adopts softer stance on US at Xiangshan Forum as Xi prepares for Trump summit
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun’s address to a defence gathering in Beijing on Wednesday carried a message for Washington but it was delivered in a notably softer, less critical tone, according to a retired senior colonel in the People’s Liberation Army. Zhou Bo, now a senior fellow at the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, said Dong’s tone was “relatively…
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun delivered a softer speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, according to a retired senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army. The Defence Minister's tone was "relatively mild," as reported. Dong made veiled references to the US and its actions in the Middle East during his address. The speech came just a week before Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the US, and as US officials praised improved military-to-military communication between the two countries.
Dong urged nations to build a new security approach based on dialogue instead of confrontation, and to promote partnership rather than alliance, in response to Washington's military alliances. He also called for major countries to shoulder their responsibility and suggested that the international community should oppose actions involving exclusive blocs.
Dong emphasized that disputes should not be resolved by force. The Chinese military expressed willingness to share military governance experience as it prepares to mark its centenary. Beijing has been increasing its military efforts, according to Zhou. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Xiangshan Forum, held just days before Xi's first state visit to the US in over a decade and his second summit with US President Donald Trump in 2020.
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.
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