Chinese Defense Minister’s Speech Emphasizes Taiwan’s Sovereignty Issues
On Thursday, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun delivered his first significant public address in months, underscoring the Communist Party’s commitment to undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Speaking at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing—a platform aimed at expanding China’s military influence—Dong repeated the assertion that “Taiwan is part of China.” However, it’s important to recognize that Taiwan functions as a sovereign, democratic state with its own government, military, education, and healthcare systems, entirely separate from the Communist Party’s control. The government in Beijing does not exercise authority over Taiwan.
Dong stated, “The historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China is unquestionable, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is always prepared to forcefully counter external interference.” This declaration was reported by the state media.
He also remarked, “Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the postwar international order.” Dong emphasized that the separatist movement for “Taiwan Independence” would never succeed, reiterating the readiness to combat outside interference. Notably, the Taiwanese government is characterized by Beijing as a part of this “separatist plan.”
Although Dong’s remarks mark one of the more provocative statements from high-ranking Chinese officials in years, threats and aggressive rhetoric regarding Taiwan have been common from Beijing. The climax of such rhetoric was perhaps in 2019 when Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a forceful statement against Taiwan’s sovereignty coinciding with anti-communist protests in Hong Kong at that time.
Xi had warned, “Anyone who tries to separate any region from China will perish, and their bodies will be ground into powder. External forces supporting such divisions are viewed as delusions.” This sort of violent rhetoric seems to have resurfaced with Dong’s recent comments.
While there is an evident return to aggressive language, Xinhua, the state news agency, also noted Dong’s commitment to “protecting world peace” in his address. The Chinese Defense Ministry has echoed statements made by Xinhua, highlighting the need for cooperation in challenging times.
Dong said that “the Chinese military is prepared to collaborate with all parties to uphold sovereign equality and strengthen multilateralism.” He advocated for increased military trust and coordination while working towards a more effective global governance framework.
He echoed Xi’s increasing focus on the importance of recognizing historical context and “preserving historical justice,” a theme that has gained traction this year as China commemorated the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. Recently, Xi orchestrated a large military parade, promoting the narrative of the Chinese Communists as pivotal to the war’s outcome.
This parade was also intended to frame Xi as a key figure in a new world order, conspicuously absent of US influence, which he highlighted by hosting leaders like Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi.
Like Dong, Xi employed aggressive language during the parade, crafting an image of resilient and unyielding Chinese power. He asserted, “The rejuvenation of the Chinese people cannot be obstructed. The objective of peaceful human development must be achieved.”
Dong’s remarks signal a notable return to prominence as defense minister, following a period marked by turbulence and corruption scandals. Reports have surfaced regarding his investigation linked to corruption; the Chinese government, however, has never publicly acknowledged it, and his reappointment followed a lengthy vacancy after his predecessor was removed.
In August 2023, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was ousted amidst allegations of serious political violations. This aligns with a trend of significant corruption investigations affecting other officials in China’s military framework.
Since his appointment in December 2023, following a prolonged vacancy in the defense ministerial position, Dong has largely avoided major international issues. However, Taiwan’s President Lai Qingte has consistently brought attention to the looming threat of increased warfare from China, prompting a record-high defense budget in Taiwan for 2026, aiming for a notable increase in military spending.
While Taiwan is not a NATO member, the defense budget aligns with NATO’s recommended spending levels, attributed to rising tensions and a need for robust defense measures. This increase is supported by the US, which also emphasizes the importance of Taiwanese resilience against potential threats from China.
