China defense chief warns against coercion, omits US and Japan in security pitch

At a regional security forum, China's defense minister Dong Jun advocated for shared security governance and military cooperation while cautioning against coercive actions, notably avoiding direct mention of the US or Japan. The omission signals a deliberate rhetorical softening toward key rivals, though underlying tensions remain. This matters as it may indicate a tactical shift in China's public posture ahead of high-level engagements.