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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
Dong Jun pictured at last year’s Asean-China defence ministers’ lunch in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
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 summit

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

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

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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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (third from top) descends the steps of Air Force One as President Donald Trump walks with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng during a welcome ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summit

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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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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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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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, in Hanoi on March 17. They co-chaired a meeting on bilateral cooperation. Photo: Xinhua
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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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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Dong Jun has served as China’s defence minister since December 2023. Photo: Reuters
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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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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Raymond Greene (left), the de facto US ambassador to Taiwan, met with Cheng Li-wun, the new leader of the KMT, just two weeks after a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Busan last month. Photo: Handout
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.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Yonhap via AP
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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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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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 Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. Photo: X/Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
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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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 congressman Adam Smith shakes hands with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun as he leads a bipartisan group of US lawmakers for a meeting at the defence ministry in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP
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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China-India relations

Why Japan is worried about the decline in US ties with India

Japanese defence researcher warns that China could capitalise on tensions between partners.

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US-China trade war

Trump-Xi call, Nvidia China pressure, Zijin Gold IPO

This week: US-China trade deal is ‘pretty close’ ahead of Trump-Xi call, China clamps down on Nvidia chips, Chinese economic data worsens. Next week: Zijin Gold closes books on IPO, Chery Auto starts trading, PBOC announces rates, and more.

Queen Camilla, King Charles III, US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump. (Photo: Pool via Reuters)
China-India relations

South China Sea disputes ‘no business’ of India, former navy commander says

But retired vice-admiral Shekhar Sinha calls out Chinese actions in the waterway, saying big countries ‘should be a little more magnanimous’.

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Chinese and Philippine vessels have had frequent run-ins in the South China Sea in recent years. Photo: X/Armed Forces of the Philippines
SCMP Highlights

Chinese defence minister’s speech, US Fed cuts rates: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

US-China relations

Can a Xi-Trump phone call deliver an off-ramp from US-China tensions?

Following the TikTok deal, experts watch for signals that could set the stage for further engagement ahead of possible summit.

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