Ahead of the upcoming U.S.-China summit scheduled to take place in Washington on the 24th, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun stated on the 16th that outdated zero-sum mentalities cannot resolve today's problems, emphasizing the need to guard against hegemonic competition and the pursuit of narrow bloc interests. His remarks are widely viewed as an indirect critique of the U.S., China's primary rival in the struggle for global supremacy.

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Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun implicitly criticizes the U.S. during his opening speech at the Xiangshan Forum on the 16th. / Xinhua

According to Beijing diplomatic sources on the 16th, Minister Dong made the remarks while presenting directions for global security governance during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, held at the Beijing International Convention Center. He added, "Whether it is the tragic lessons left by past world wars or the major disasters and crises occurring today, all serve as reminders of how critical it is to prevent risks before problems arise."

He then stressed, "We must bear the lessons of history in mind," emphasizing, "We must maintain high vigilance against latent hegemonic competition and various risks, and we must never let them go unchecked." He also asserted, "We must rally the collective strength of the broader international community, assess and defuse risks in a timely manner, and prevent minor differences from escalating into major conflicts and small frictions from turning into wider confrontations." In particular, he noted, "We must guard against actions that sacrifice the collective interests of regional countries for the sake of narrow self-interest or exclusive bloc interests."

While Minister Dong did not mention the U.S. by name, phrases such as "zero-sum game," "hegemonic competition," and "narrow bloc interests" have been repeatedly employed by China to criticize U.S. military strategy toward Beijing and U.S.-led regional security cooperation, making it evident that his remarks were indirectly targeted at the U.S.

In his speech, Minister Dong also expressed opposition to resolving disputes through force or coercion, stating, "Complex conflicts and problems cannot be resolved through force or coercion. Power politics and pressure only serve to deepen conflicts further." He went on to emphasize, "A growing number of people share the view that dialogue and negotiation represent the only correct path toward a political settlement."

He also adopted a measured tone, remarking, "While dialogue and negotiation may not yield immediate results, exercising sufficient wisdom and patience will ultimately allow us to find a path toward resolving issues."

He continued, "To uphold dialogue and negotiation, what is most needed is an attitude of equality and mutual respect," arguing, "Through communication, we must seek common ground, narrow differences, build mutual trust step by step, and expand shared interests."

Minister Dong also underscored the need to uphold true multilateralism and defend the international order centered on the United Nations and grounded in international law. Furthermore, he proposed strengthening security governance in emerging domains—such as artificial intelligence, outer space, and the deep sea—while promoting risk assessment, sharing experiences, and formulating relevant rules.

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, the Xiangshan Forum is being held for three days starting on the 15th under the theme of "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future." As of the 16th, official delegations from approximately 100 countries, regions, and international organizations are estimated to be in attendance, including some 60 ministerial and defense chief-level officials. A South Korean delegation headed by the vice president of Korea National Defense University is reported to be taking part. Sources also noted that North Korea dispatched a delegation to the forum for the first time in seven years.

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do