Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun delivered a keynote address at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing this Wednesday, focusing on themes of global governance, conflict prevention, and the responsible development of emerging technologies. The speech occurred roughly one week before a scheduled summit between the leaders of China and the United States.

During his 20-minute address, Dong cautioned against a “zero-sum mindset,” arguing that such an approach is insufficient to address modern global challenges. He advocated for increased multilateralism and cooperation to navigate what he described as a “moment of fragility” in global security. While Dong did not explicitly name the United States in his criticisms, he made several veiled references to American foreign policy and international actions.

Observers have noted a distinct change in the delivery of these messages. Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the People’s Liberation Army and a fellow at Tsinghua University, characterized Dong’s tone as “relatively mild.” This assessment suggests a strategic pivot toward a softer diplomatic stance as Beijing prepares for high-level engagement with Washington. While the content remained firm on China’s core security interests, the rhetorical approach was notably less confrontational than in previous forums, signaling a potential effort to stabilize bilateral tensions before the upcoming presidential meeting.