China's new defense minister could help improve communications with the US

Tân Bộ trưởng Quốc phòng Trung Quốc có thể giúp cải thiện liên lạc với Mỹ - 1 — New Chinese Defense Minister, Mr. Dong Jun (Photo: Reuters).

China on December 29 appointed Navy Commander Dong Jun as the country's new defense minister, two months after his predecessor Li Shangfu was dismissed.

The move is seen as part of President Xi Jinping's broader strategy to make China a dominant global power.

Although Beijing did not specify the reason for this alternative strategy, according to observers, Dong Jun's appointment coincides with increasing US-China tensions, especially regarding Taiwan, and in the context of Beijing's efforts to strengthen its military capabilities. Therefore, experts believe that this appointment could further facilitate high-level military communication between the US and China.

Dong Jun's appointment also fits with China's ongoing military upgrade, reflecting a broader shift in geopolitical dynamics.

As defense minister, Dong Jun will play a key role as the public face of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), communicating with the media and other armed forces.

Chinese observers believe this is the first time a Chinese naval commander has been chosen as defense minister, whose specific role is "military diplomacy ."

China's defense minister regularly conducts military diplomacy, meeting with visiting military officials and representing China abroad.

Meanwhile, the operational command of the Chinese military is in the hands of the Central Military Commission, which is headed by President Xi Jinping himself. Dong Jun is not currently a member of the Central Military Commission.

Who is Dong Jun?

China's new defense minister was born in 1961 in Shandong province. He studied at the Dalian Naval Academy and began serving in the PLA in 1978, serving as deputy chief of staff of the North Sea Fleet.

In 2013, he was appointed as deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet, the mainstay of the Eastern Theater Command. He also served as deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command operating in the disputed South China Sea when he was appointed in 2017. In July 2018, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

In 2021, he was promoted to the rank of general and also the year he became Commander of the Chinese Navy.

The new minister's expertise in naval affairs, especially submarines, is important for the country as the navy is not only expanding its operations to areas such as the Mediterranean and South Africa but is also working to strengthen its capabilities.

Dong Jun is also seen as being able to facilitate further high-level US-China military contacts. "Dong Jun is used to managing near-misses between the Chinese and US militaries. This will be useful when he has to resolve crises between the two militaries," said Li Mingjiang, an expert at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

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