Through the Army… China Outlines Its Vision for a Fairer World Order

China’s Defense Minister, Dong Jun, stated that his country’s army is ready to work with international partners as a “force for peace and stability.”

This announcement comes amid mounting global tensions, driven by the race for influence and the growing weight of geopolitical rivalries.

Speaking at the 12th Xiangshan Security Forum in Beijing, Dong Jun stressed that the Chinese armed forces will not engage in asymmetric confrontations. Instead, they aim to build military and political partnerships that contribute to the establishment of a “fairer and more rational” global order, in his words.

Confronting Hegemony and Interference

The minister urged nations to work together in resisting what he described as “hegemony and intimidation policies,” noting that history bears witness to the dangers of yielding to dominant narratives or external pressure.

He added that China views the protection of national sovereignty and equality among states as an “indispensable foundation” for global governance, warning that foreign military interventions or the imposition of political alignments on other nations would push the international community toward “chaos and conflict.”

Dong Jun’s speech carried pointed messages to the United States and its allies. He argued that the pursuit of new spheres of influence and the disregard for the principle of sovereign equality among nations directly threatens global stability. China, he insisted, stands on the side of a multipolar, balanced international order, rejecting unipolar dominance.

What is the Xiangshan Forum?

The 12th Xiangshan Security Forum is being held in Beijing from September 17 to 19, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Defense. It brings together defense and military leaders from more than 100 countries, including Russia, Vietnam, Singapore, France, Nigeria, and Brazil.

The forum is regarded as a Chinese platform to advance its global security narrative and to present itself as a stabilizing power in the face of what it describes as “intimidation and hegemonic policies.”