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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

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 summit

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.

14 May 2026 - 9:37PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

14 May 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

13 May 2026 - 9:36PMvideocam

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.

13 May 2026 - 10:16PMvideocam

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’.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:06PMvideocam

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.

2 Apr 2026 - 5:44PMvideocam

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’.

17 Mar 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

Chinese and Vietnamese navy vessels pictured during their 39th joint patrol, in the Gulf of Tonkin in November 2025. Photo: Xinhua

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.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:45AMvideocam

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.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:03PM

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.

10 Mar 2026 - 8:05PMvideocam

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.

27 Jan 2026 - 10:47PMvideocam

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov inspect an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing in October 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE

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.

18 Dec 2025 - 1:00AM

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.

13 Nov 2025 - 8:00PM

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.

3 Nov 2025 - 5:00PM

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.

2 Nov 2025 - 9:15PMvideocam

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.

2 Nov 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

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.

31 Oct 2025 - 9:15PM

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.

31 Oct 2025 - 7:36PMvideocam

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

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.

1 Oct 2025 - 7:49PMvideocam

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’.

27 Sep 2025 - 8:14PMvideocam

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.

23 Sep 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

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.

23 Sep 2025 - 12:58AMvideocam

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun meets members of the US Congress on Monday. Photo: EPA

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.

20 Sep 2025 - 4:57PMvideocam

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.

19 Sep 2025 - 5:00PM

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’.

19 Sep 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

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.

18 Sep 2025 - 9:15PM

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

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.

18 Sep 2025 - 9:01PMvideocam

US-China relations

China’s defence chief slams Western ‘bullying’, rallies regional allies

At the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Dong Jun says world is at a crossroads between peace or war, urges countries to make the ‘right choice’.

18 Sep 2025 - 11:21PMvideocam

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