China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun to miss Asean defence talks as fifth plenum convenes

China's Defence Minister Dong Jun will be absent from this week's Asean defence talks taking place in Cebu, as the fifth plenum convenes in Beijing. Dong has previously attended the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) for the past two years. The current meeting coincides with the fifth plenum, a significant Communist Party gathering in Beijing.

Beijing has not disclosed the reason for Dong's absence, but he is expected to participate in the plenum as a member of the Central Committee. The ADMM-Plus is a forum that brings together defence ministers from Asean's 11 member states and eight dialogue partners. China's defence ministry declared that its defence attache at the Chinese embassy in the Philippines would represent Beijing at the meeting.

The US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is also expected to attend, aiming to strengthen deterrence, promote alliances, and expand burden-sharing in the region. Tensions between Beijing and Manila persist over competing claims in the South China Sea, where their coastguard vessels have clashed in recent years. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the ADMM-Plus should foster dialogue, enhance mutual trust, and promote cooperation among regional countries.