Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun will engage in high-level dialogues at two pivotal regional security forums in Kuala Lumpur this week, underscoring Beijing’s commitment to multilateral cooperation in Asia. From October 30 to November 2, Dong will participate in the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and the 15th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting at Malaysia’s invitation.
At the ADMM-Plus gathering, which brings together defense leaders from ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners including China and the U.S., Dong is expected to reflect on the forum’s 15-year evolution in promoting regional stability. Analysts anticipate his remarks will highlight China’s role in fostering trust-building measures among member states.
The China-ASEAN meeting will focus on future-oriented defense collaboration, with discussions likely to address maritime security, counterterrorism, and disaster response coordination. Observers note this aligns with China’s recent emphasis on “non-traditional security” partnerships in Southeast Asia.
Dong’s schedule also includes bilateral talks with counterparts from participating nations, offering opportunities to address specific security concerns. The meetings come amid heightened global interest in Asia’s security architecture as geopolitical tensions persist in the South China Sea and Korean Peninsula.
