bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Zhao Ziwen

As China hosts its annual defence conference, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Defence Minister Dong Jun outlined the country’s priorities and aims.
During his 30-minute keynote speech Dong addressed key issues, including Taiwan, the South China Sea and China’s take on regional blocs by US allies.

1. Historical memory and 9/18 anniversary
Dong opened by marking the 918 Incident in which Japan began its invasion of China, starting from the northeast in 1931. He urged nations to “never forget the lessons of war” and to oppose any resurgence of hegemonism or bullying.
2. Taiwan
“Taiwan’s return is an integral part of the post-war order,” Dong said, vowing that the PLA would “never allow any separatist plot to succeed” or tolerate foreign military interference.
3. South China Sea
Dong pledged to accelerate talks on a binding Code of Conduct with Asean, criticised “extraregional powers” for using “freedom of navigation” to provoke, and said safeguarding China’s maritime rights was a defence of the post-war order and international law.


4. Asia-Pacific regional blocs and alliances
Dong spoke of military blocs and “small circles for hegemony”, calling China’s non-alignment policy a model for inclusive, cooperative security partnerships.
5. Global Governance Initiative
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s newly promoted Global Governance Initiatives pointed to a “right direction” for global governance order, Dong said. The initiative was issued by Xi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin this month, following his Global Development, Security and Civilisation Initiatives.
6. Global South
Dong said the strength of the Global South was “unstoppable, driving the wheels of history steadily forward” and pledged cooperation with these countries on the security front.




7. AI and emerging tech risks
China sees risks in artificial intelligence, space and cyber as under-regulated areas, and seeks international rules and mechanisms to prevent crises.
8. Peace advocacy
Throughout, he framed China’s growing military power as a stabilising “ballast” to deter war and support shared development, positioning the People’s Liberation Army as a force for “peace, stability and progress”.
9. Four-point proposal
China seeks to deepen military trust and strategic dialogue; strengthen multilateral cooperation via the UN, the Xiangshan Forum and regional platforms; elevate aspirations for cooperation – peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and maritime security; and improve cooperative mechanisms for emerging-domain governance.




Trump balks at nuclear limit extension, calls for new US-China-Russia deal

Could China’s first hybrid transport drone prove a ‘game changer’ in Taiwan Strait?

Has China’s GJ-21 stealth attack drone joined sea trials for Type 076 Sichuan?

With US-Russia treaty set to expire, threat of a new nuclear arms race grows

China's military weapons

Takeaways from Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun’s speech at Xiangshan Forum

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun looks on during Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 18. Photo: Reuters

China’s annual security and defence dialogue, the Xiangshan Forum, opened on Thursday. Photo: AP

Dong Jun addresses Xiangshan Forum, as it happened – China a force for peace

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun addresses the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

China is ready to work with Singapore on regional stability, top military officer says

Singaporean Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing meets Central Military Commission vice-chairman General Zhang Youxia at the Bayi Building in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Pete Hegseth signalled ‘significant shift’ in US China policy, says ex-Pentagon official

Pete Hegseth told his Chinese counterpart the US was not “pursuing regime change”, the Pentagon said. Photo: AP 

Chad Sbragia addresses this year’s Xiangshan forum in Beijing. Photo: CNA

Taiwan’s overdue US arms orders will arrive soon. Are its forces ready?

Two US-made F-16V fighters fly over  an air force base in southern Taiwan. Next year, Taiwan will take delivery of some big-ticket US weapons – including more M1A2T Abrams tanks and MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones. Photo: AFP

Taiwan’s first Hai Kun submarine. Photo: CSBC

The MQ-9B UAV. Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Australia to ‘upgrade’ defence ties with PNG as China’s Pacific influence grows

Australian soldiers talk to Papua New Guineas defence minister and other officials during a visit to Brisbane earlier this year. Photo: Australian Defence Force/AFP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Reuters

Children draw lines in the sand on a beach in Papua New Guinea. Photo: AP

News

China

Military

Diplomacy

Taiwan, South China Sea, AI risks and global governance issues among China’s priorities, Dong tells forum


Taiwan, South China Sea, AI risks and global governance issues among China’s priorities, Dong tells forum.


Takeaways from Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun’s speech at Xiangshan Forum

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Taiwan, South China Sea, AI risks and global governance issues among China’s priorities, Dong tells forum

Taiwan, South China Sea, AI risks and global governance issues among China’s priorities, Dong tells forum