Dong Jun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Admiral Dong Jun
董军
Dong in 2024
14th Minister of National Defense
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 December 2023
Premier	Li Qiang
CMC Chairman	Xi Jinping
Preceded by	Li Shangfu
9th Commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy
In office September 2021 – December 2023
Preceded by	Shen Jinlong
Succeeded by	Hu Zhongming
Personal details
Born	1961 (age 63–64) Yantai, Shandong, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party
Alma mater	Dalian Naval Academy
Military service
Allegiance	People's Republic of China
Branch/service	People's Liberation Army Navy
Years of service	1979–present
Rank	Admiral
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	董军
Traditional Chinese	董軍
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Dǒng Jūn

Dong Jun (born in 1961) is a high-ranking officer, an admiral, in China's navy, called the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). From September 2021 to December 2023, he was the leader of the PLAN. On December 29, 2023, he became the 14th Minister of National Defense. This role makes him China's top military official. He is the first defense minister to come from the navy.

Biography

In 1978, Dong Jun started studying at the Dalian Naval Academy. He joined the PLAN in 1979 after finishing his studies. Throughout his career, he held several important positions. He was the director of the PLAN Command Military Training Department. He also served as the deputy chief of staff for the North Sea Fleet.

In 2013, Dong became the deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet. He then became the PLAN deputy chief of staff in December 2014. In January 2017, he was named deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command. By March 2021, he was the deputy commander of the PLAN. He became the commander of the PLAN in August 2021.

Dong Jun has been promoted through different military ranks. In July 2012, he became a rear admiral. He was promoted to vice admiral in July 2018. In September 2021, he reached the highest rank of admiral. Since 2013, he has also been a professor at the National University of Defense Technology.

Minister of National Defense

On December 29, 2023, Dong Jun was chosen to be China's Minister of National Defense. This position means he is in charge of China's military. He is the first person from the navy to hold this important job.

Dong meeting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Almaty, Kazakhstan (2024)

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meeting with Dong at the 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (2024)

On January 31, 2024, Dong Jun had his first international meeting. He spoke with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu online. Dong said that China and Russia's militaries should trust each other more. He also said they should work together to make their relationship stronger.

He mentioned that China would keep supporting Russia on the 'Ukraine issue'. He stated that China would not change its policies. He also said that outside countries would not stop China and Russia's normal cooperation. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson later said China's position on Ukraine had not changed. China does not provide military aid to either side of the conflict.

On April 11, Dong met with Vietnam's defense minister, Phan Văn Giang. They met near the China-Vietnam border. They signed an agreement to create an emergency phone line between their militaries. On April 27, Dong attended a meeting of defense ministers in Kazakhstan. He met with ministers from Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and other countries. He also met with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Dong with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, 31 May 2024

On May 31, 2024, Dong Jun went to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. This is a big meeting where defense leaders discuss security. There, he met with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It was the first time Austin had met with a Chinese defense minister. They agreed to start talking more between their militaries. Austin also brought up China's military exercises near Taiwan. He also mentioned China's support for Russia's military industry.

On June 2, Dong gave a speech at the forum. He said China wants to peacefully reunite with Taiwan. However, he warned that "separatists for Taiwan independence and foreign forces" are making this harder. He stated that China would act strongly to stop Taiwan independence. He also warned against the U.S. selling weapons to Taiwan. He said this sends "very wrong signals" to those who want Taiwan to be independent. Regarding disputes in the South China Sea, Dong said China has been very patient. But he warned that this patience has "limits."

On October 14, 2024, Dong met with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov in Beijing. They talked about working together more closely. They also discussed improving military relations between their countries.

On November 20, 2024, Dong had important talks with India's defense minister, Rajnath Singh. They met in Laos during a defense ministers' meeting. This meeting happened after Chinese and Indian troops moved away from disputed border areas. Singh asked them to learn from the 2020 border clashes. He also asked them to prevent similar events and keep peace along the India-China border.

See also

In Spanish: Dong Jun para niños