China names new defence minister, bridging hurdle for US talks

China named navy veteran Dong Jun as its new defence minister, a move that could help restart top-level military talks with the US that had been restrained by Beijing’s delay in filling the post.

The decision, which marks the first time Beijing has a defence minister from a navy background, was made by the country’s top legislator on December 29. It ended months of speculation over Li Shangfu’s replacement, after he was ousted from the role in October, without explanation, Bloomberg reports, citing the official Xinhua News Agency.

Dong doesn’t currently sit on the national Central Military Commission, meaning President Xi Jinping has picked him over other sitting members. General Liu Zhenli, chief of the commission’s joint staff department, was previously viewed a contender for the position.

China’s new top military diplomat does have extensive experience in China’s navy, which has been projecting its force in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait this year, attracting criticism from the US.

Until recently, Dong served as People’s Liberation Navy commander, with a Xinhua report earlier this week noting General Hu Zhongming had now taken over that position.

Dong was also once a deputy commander of the Southern Military Command, which looks after the South China Sea, where China has territorial disputes with neighbouring nations including the Philippines and Vietnam. The US also conducts freedom of navigation operations in those waters, frustrating Beijing.

He was also a deputy commander of Eastern Military Command’s navy force. The fleet is in charge of the East China Sea, including the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. The force conducted drills around the island after Pelosi’s visit last year.