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Dong Jun

Dong Jun
Admiral Dong Jun was appointed as China’s defence minister in December 2023, after his predecessor Li Shangfu was sacked months after he took up the role. Dong is the country’s first defence minister with a navy background. He has yet to be given the rank of state councillor or a seat on the decision-making Central Military Commission, roles that all previous defence ministers have taken on.
Born
1961
Industry
Politics, Military
Job Title
Minister of National Defense, China
Chinese military officers in uniform attend an evening gala marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party in Beijing on Monday. Photo: CCTV
China’s Communist Party

What a seating chart reveals about the future of China’s military leadership

Two generals appear near top PLA officers at a high-profile event, signalling their swift rise to fill gaps left by anti-graft campaign.

US-China relations

Editorial | Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China

China-UK relations

Exclusive | Chinese, UK delegations discuss military engagement at Shangri-La Dialogue

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US-China relations

Hegseth at Asia defence gathering, China-EU tensions, Computex

This week: US allies wait to hear from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore, EU works on China trade measures and Huawei announces chip advance. Next week: Computex is held in Taiwan, China reveals PMI, UK foreign minister visits Beijing, and more.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

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China’s military

China defence chief Dong Jun tipped to skip this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue

The regional security forum opens on Friday in Singapore with no official word yet on who will lead the Chinese delegation.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Salute to China? Protocol-perfect Trump charms social media as he meets Xi

US and Chinese leaders project close rapport on day 1 of summit, as body language expert notes deferential ‘softer approach’ from Trump.

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US President Donald Trump salutes China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun (second left) as President Xi Jinping and top Chinese officials look on, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

What does Pete Hegseth’s presence in China say about Trump’s military agenda?

US arms sales to Taiwan, nuclear weapons and military-to-military communication will be among topics discussed, experts say.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US defence secretary joins Trump on China trip in rare diplomatic move

Pete Hegseth becomes first Pentagon chief to accompany a US president to Beijing since Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies before the Senate on Tuesday regarding the White House’s proposed military budget. Photo: Getty Images
China-Asean relations

China calls on Cambodia for ‘shared security and risks’ during global turmoil

Defence and foreign ministers meet in Phnom Penh after Hun Manet describes China as a ‘most important and most trustworthy good friend’.

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun (from left) and Foreign Minister Wang Yi link arms with Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian deputy prime minister, and Cambodian Defence Minister General Tea Seiha. Photo: Handout/Agence Kampuchea Press
South China Sea

Why China and Vietnam are shifting from confrontation to calm in South China Sea

Disagreements continue, but the two sides are showing notable restraint in contrast with Beijing’s fierce exchanges with Manila.

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China-Asean relations

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

Agreement between naval commanders ahead of 40th joint exercise comes as Vietnamese leader To Lam hails ties with China as ‘top priority’.

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China’s military drills

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

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Vessels from Chinese and Vietnamese navies take part in a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin in November last year. Photo: Xinhua
China-Asean relations

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

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The two countries have been working to strengthen ties in recent year. Photo: Shutterstock
Two Sessions 2026

Stability comes first: Chinese defence chief signals Beijing’s strategic caution

Dong Jun’s remarks stressing prudence as Xi-Trump summit looms and amid Iran war suggest no military action on Taiwan for now, analysts say.

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China-Russia relations

China and Russia to bolster defence ties to counter risks

Call marks first ministerial-level exchange between Beijing and Moscow since US raid on Venezuela and Trump’s stronger words on Greenland.

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US-China relations

Senior US and Chinese defence officials continue ‘military-to-military’ dialogue

Talks follow Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s meeting with China’s Minister of National Defence, Admiral Dong Jun, to help stabilise ties.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Chinese Minister of National Defence , Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in Malaysia on October 31. Photo: X/Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
Taiwan

US invites Taiwan KMT chief to Washington, stresses top priority to ‘avoid war’

De facto ambassador Raymond Greene meets opposition party’s new chairwoman two weeks after the Xi-Trump summit in Busan.

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China-South Korea relations

US-China rivalry leaves Asia walking G2 tightrope

South Korea and Japan both tried to balance relations with the US and China during Apec week, reflecting increasing complexity in Asia-Pacific diplomacy.

US-China relations

China, US to revive military channels but more steps deemed essential for trust

US and China agree to ‘set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and de-escalate any problems that arise’, Hegseth says in post.

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Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth met his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday and again on Saturday. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Beijing criticises new Japanese PM Takaichi for meeting Taiwanese official

Sanae Takaichi posted photos of herself meeting adviser Lin Hsin-i on the sidelines of Apec summit in South Korea.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan’s presidential adviser, on Friday and Saturday, according to X posts. Photo: Sanae Takaichi
SCMP Highlights

US-China defence talks, C919 jet’s global win in Brunei: SCMP daily highlights

From a Washington-Beijing defence meeting to a robotics expert leaving Sweden for China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

US-China relations

US does not seek conflict, Hegseth says in meeting with Chinese defence minister

A day after the Xi-Trump summit in South Korea, defence chiefs meet in Malaysia – and this time Taiwan is on the agenda.

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US-China relations

Beijing issues paper on Taiwan, rebukes West for ‘gross violation’ of global order

In marking anniversary of founding of People’s Republic, Beijing’s position paper confirms support for Resolution 2758, approved in 1971.

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On Tuesday, Beijing’s foreign ministry published a position paper stating: “Taiwan is part of China, not a sovereign state; it therefore has no right to send representatives to the UN.” Photo: Getty Images/AFP
China-Middle East relations

Iran recalls envoys to UK, France, Germany after China-backed UN proposal fails

Vote clearing way for sanctions prompts Beijing to warn of ‘breakdown’ in nuclear issue that could ‘trigger a new regional security crisis’.

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Security Council members vote on a resolution to delay by six months the reimposition of sanctions on Iran, at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US lawmaker in China warns lack of communication between militaries is dangerous

Conversation is crucial so ‘we don’t stumble into any sort of conflict’, Adam Smith of US House Armed Services Committee says.

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US-China relations

Chinese defence minister urges US to promote ‘constructive’ cooperation

Dong Jun tells members of the House Armed Services Committee they should promote ‘stable and sustainable’ relations between the two militaries.

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