Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun called for greater international cooperation and multilateralism in a keynote speech at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on September 16, warning that global security is at a fragile point.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day security conference, Dong argued that a zero-sum approach to international affairs could not resolve the challenges facing the world. He said countries needed to work towards consensus and focus on practical measures to strengthen global security.
Dong described multilateralism as essential to maintaining strategic stability in an increasingly turbulent international environment. He also called for countries to oppose exclusive blocs and actions that could increase tensions.
The Chinese defence chief highlighted the need for cooperation in emerging areas of technology, including artificial intelligence and outer space. He said international cooperation in these fields could help ensure that technological advances benefit humanity more broadly.
Dong also warned against what he described as hegemony, militarism and historical revisionism. While his remarks reflected longstanding Chinese positions on international security, he did not directly name the United States or Taiwan in the speech.
His comments came as regional security tensions remain focused on issues including Taiwan, the South China Sea and relations between China and Japan. The speech also took place shortly before a planned meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.
The Xiangshan Forum has become an important platform for China’s military diplomacy, bringing together defence officials, diplomats, scholars and security experts from around the world.
Dong’s speech placed particular emphasis on the idea that security challenges are interconnected and require countries to cooperate rather than pursue confrontational approaches.
The minister also called for greater representation and fairness in global security governance, reflecting Beijing’s broader argument that international institutions should give a stronger voice to developing countries.
With more than 2,000 participants from around 100 countries and international organisations attending this year’s forum, Dong’s remarks provided an outline of China’s preferred approach to global security: stronger multilateral cooperation, greater consensus and increased coordination over emerging security challenges.
The speech came at a sensitive moment for China’s relations with the United States and other regional powers, making its emphasis on cooperation and avoiding direct criticism of Washington notable in the wider context of the forum.
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