China's Defense Minister: Will Frustrate External Military Interference in Taiwan... Defend South China Sea Rights

Keynote Speech at China-led Multilateral Security Conference Xiangshan Forum: "The Stronger the Chinese Military, the More Global Peace Will Be Guaranteed"

Dong Jun, China's Minister of National Defense, delivering a keynote speech at the Xiangshan Forum (Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Jeong Seong-jo = Dong Jun, China's Minister of National Defense, delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Xiangshan Forum held at the Beijing International Convention Center on September 18, 2025. 2025.9.18 xing@yna.co.kr

Standing before military officials from various countries gathered in Beijing, China's Minister of National Defense issued a warning message, effectively targeting the West and the United States, stating opposition to "external interference" in Taiwan and the South China Sea.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th annual Xiangshan Forum held at the Beijing International Convention Center on September 18, Dong Jun, China's Minister of National Defense, said, "Taiwan's return to China is an important component of the post-war international order," adding, "There is no doubt about the historical and legal fact that Taiwan belongs to China."

He went on to emphasize, "The Chinese People's Liberation Army has always possessed invincible and formidable capabilities to defend the reunification of the motherland," and stressed, "We will not allow any attempts by Taiwan separatists to achieve independence to succeed."

He then raised his voice, stating, "We are always prepared to frustrate any and all external military interference."

Minister Dong reaffirmed China's stance of not tolerating Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines, which are in conflict with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea, and Western countries like the United States that support them.

He said, "In the South China Sea, along with regional countries, we are implementing the 'Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea' and accelerating negotiations for a Code of Conduct, and consensus and momentum are building to promote peace and development."

Minister Dong stated, "The so-called 'freedom of navigation' by some extra-regional countries and the so-called 'international arbitration' by individual countries claiming territorial rights openly challenge the basic norms of international relations," adding, "China's defense of its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law is also a firm defense of the post-war order and international rule of law."

Minister Dong's remarks directly contradict the US assertion that the South China Sea, as well as the Taiwan Strait, are international waters where freedom of navigation for all vessels and aircraft, including warships and military aircraft, must be guaranteed.

For decades, China has openly expressed its intention to control the South China Sea, claiming sovereignty over 90% of its area, and in recent years, it has shown strong resistance to the navigation of foreign warships and military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait.

Minister Dong also did not hide his displeasure with the alignment of countries centered around the Western bloc, including the United States, aimed at "containing China."

He said, "Military alliances and bloc politics are all small circles pursuing self-interest for hegemony," adding, "Creating fictitious enemies to sow division and export confrontation should naturally invite our high vigilance and firm opposition."

He continued, "We must support multilateralism, and the multipolarization of the world is an inevitable trend in the changes of the century," adding, "The stronger the Chinese People's Army, a peaceful force, becomes, the stronger its deterrence against war will be, and global peace and development will be more guaranteed."

The Xiangshan Forum, dubbed the 'Chinese Shangri-La Dialogue,' is an annual multilateral security conference led by China. This year, defense and military leaders and experts from over 100 countries attended.

While the United States sent Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia Michael Chase to last year's Xiangshan Forum, this year it sent a defense attaché from the US Embassy in China.

North Korea reportedly sent a defense attaché from its embassy in China to the forum again this year, following last year. South Korea was represented by a delegation from the Korea National Defense University and a defense attaché from the South Korean Embassy in China at the Xiangshan Forum. Yonhap News