Chinese Defense Chief Dong Jun Warns Against Coercion at Beijing Forum Without Naming US or Japan

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun and other military officials arrived for the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China, on September 16, 2026. Speaking at the opening of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Wednesday, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun stated that countries worldwide should halt provocative actions and counter the return of regressive historical trends, remarks widely interpreted as veiled criticism of Japan.

During his address, Dong advocated for a fresh and more inclusive strategy to address international tensions, though he provided few specific details or direct criticisms of rival nations. "We must bear the lessons of history in mind and remain highly vigilant against all latent manifestations of hegemony, militarism and historical revisionism," Dong stated. He added, "We must not turn a blind eye or condone such behaviour. By rallying broad-based forces of justice, we must suppress the resurgence of historical dregs."

The forum takes place amid rising regional tensions surrounding Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, alongside growing uncertainty regarding traditional US security commitments to Asia. The event also precedes an anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump. Prior to the main event, Dong held separate meetings with defence officials from Myanmar, Brunei, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, as well as ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, promoting deeper military cooperation and shared security.

Over the past twenty years, Beijing has developed the Xiangshan Forum as its primary platform for military diplomacy, serving as a structured alternative to Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue. The three-day gathering brings together hundreds of military officers, diplomats, and scholars to promote a multipolar world and greater representation for the Global South.

As anticipated by analysts, Dong refrained from directly criticizing the United States or its regional allies, including Japan. Relations between China and Japan deteriorated following statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year suggesting a potential Japanese military response to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has increased military activity around the island, while Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Wu Shicun, chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, warned at the forum that Japan's increasing involvement in the South China Sea could pose a longer-term threat to regional peace and stability than the United States. Meanwhile, international attendance at the forum reflected complex regional dynamics, with Western nations sending lower-level officials—such as senior Pentagon official Cynthia Carras leading the US delegation—while neighbouring countries dispatched top defence leadership, including Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang and Malaysian Vice Defence Minister Adly Zahari. Additionally, a North Korean delegation led by Vice Minister of National Defence Kim Kang Il is attending the event, according to KCNA.