China’s defence chief warns against coercion, avoids US, Japan mention
Dong Jun pitches shared security governance and military cooperation while warning against coercion.
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has said that countries around the world should cease provocative acts and check the resurgence of regressive historical trends.
Dong made his remarks, likely to be taken as veiled criticism of Japan, on Wednesday while opening the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. In a broad speech, he urged a fresh, more inclusive approach to resolving international tensions, though he offered few specifics or any direct criticisms of rivals.
“We must bear the lessons of history in mind and remain highly vigilant against all latent manifestations of hegemony, militarism and historical revisionism,” Dong said.
Bringing together hundreds of military officers, diplomats and scholars from dozens of countries, the three-day gathering provides China with a high-profile stage to champion a multipolar world and advocate for a greater voice for the Global South.