DONG JUN CALLS FOR AN END TO PROVOCATIVE ACTS AND URGES COUNTRIES TO PREVENT LOCAL DISPUTES FROM ESCALATING
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has called on countries to remain vigilant against what he described as a resurgence of “hegemony, militarism and historical revisionism,” while urging nations to curb provocative actions that could worsen regional instability.
Speaking at the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Wednesday, Dong said countries should learn from history and work to prevent tensions from developing into larger conflicts. The forum is being held from September 15 to 17 under the theme “Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together.”
CALL FOR GREATER RESTRAINT
Dong urged countries to adopt a more inclusive approach to international security and cautioned against allowing narrow or bloc interests to take precedence over regional peace.
He called for provocative acts to be stopped and for disputes to be managed before they escalate, while advocating greater dialogue and cooperation in addressing international security challenges.
The Chinese defence minister did not directly name the United States, Japan or other countries in his remarks. However, Reuters reported that his references to historical revisionism and militarism were likely to be interpreted as veiled criticism of Japan.
REGIONAL TENSIONS
Dong’s comments come amid heightened tensions involving Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, as well as broader questions over the future of U.S. security commitments in the Asia-Pacific.
China continues to regard Taiwan as part of its territory, while disputes over maritime claims in the South China Sea remain a major source of friction between Beijing and several regional governments.
The Xiangshan Forum has become an important platform for China’s military diplomacy, bringing together defence officials, diplomats and security experts from countries around the world. China’s Defence Ministry said this year’s forum has drawn participants from almost 100 countries, regions and international organisations.
SECURITY BEYOND TRADITIONAL RIVALRIES
Dong has also promoted greater international cooperation in emerging areas of security, including artificial intelligence and outer-space activities. He called for stronger risk assessment, experience sharing and international rules governing emerging technologies.
His remarks come as China seeks to present dialogue, multilateral cooperation and shared security governance as alternatives to confrontation and exclusive military blocs.
With regional tensions continuing to test relations among major powers, the message from Beijing is that preventing escalation will require countries to manage disputes through dialogue while avoiding actions that could widen existing security confrontations.
