Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun adopted a notably restrained tone in his address at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Wednesday, avoiding direct criticism of the United States as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump later this month.
Dong’s speech focused on calls for greater international cooperation and a more equal approach to global security. While he warned against hegemony, militarism and historical revisionism, he did not directly name the United States or its regional allies in his remarks.
The tone represented a contrast with some previous Chinese defence statements that have featured sharper criticism of Washington and its allies. Retired PLA colonel Zhou Bo, now a senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy, described Dong’s approach as relatively mild.
Dong also urged countries to oppose provocative actions that could undermine regional stability. His comments came amid continuing tensions involving Taiwan, the South China Sea and China’s relations with Japan.
The Xiangshan Forum, held in Beijing from September 15 to 17, has attracted military officials, diplomats and academics from dozens of countries. The event is an important platform for China’s military diplomacy and is closely watched for indications of Beijing’s approach to regional and global security.
The United States is represented at this year’s forum by a Pentagon delegation led by Cynthia Karras, the department’s director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia policy. The participation comes as Washington and Beijing continue efforts to manage tensions across security, trade and technology issues.
Dong’s remarks also come shortly before Xi is expected to travel to Washington for a summit with Trump. The meeting is scheduled for September 24, with the two governments continuing preparations and negotiations ahead of the encounter.
Although Dong avoided direct attacks on Washington, he maintained China’s established position that countries should reject unilateralism and work towards a more balanced international security framework.
His comments also reflected Beijing’s continuing concern over Japan’s security policy and its position on Taiwan. Chinese officials have repeatedly criticised what they describe as a revival of militarism in Japan, while Tokyo has expressed concern about China’s growing military activity around Taiwan and in surrounding waters.
The combination of restrained language towards the United States and sharper warnings about provocative behaviour elsewhere comes as Beijing prepares for high-level diplomacy with Washington.
The Xiangshan Forum therefore provides an important setting for China to present its security priorities while maintaining diplomatic space ahead of the upcoming Xi-Trump meeting.
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