China Appoints Former Naval Commander Dong Jun as New Defense Minister

Appointment Follows Series of High-Level Military Personnel Changes Amid Rising Regional Tensions

China has appointed former naval commander Dong Jun as its new defense minister, replacing Li Shangfu who was removed from his post in October without explanation.
Dong's appointment comes amid a series of high-level personnel changes in the Chinese military, including the removal of nine senior military officials from China's parliament.
The new defense minister's role is largely ceremonial, focused on military diplomacy and international engagement, with high-level strategy and major decisions coming from the Central Military Commission, chaired by President Xi Jinping.
Dong's naval background is significant as China has been asserting its territorial claims using its massive force of warships, coast guard cutters and fishing boats in the South China Sea.
The appointment comes at a sensitive time, as Beijing ups military pressure on Taiwan and grows increasingly assertive in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.