China’s defence minister summoned familiar talking points as he took aim at Western nations during a security conference on Thursday, urging nations to stand up against “bullying” and describing military alliances as groups with “selfish interests”.
Dong Jun did not name any country but his calls appeared to resonate with defence chiefs from Southeast Asia, as they took turns criticising unilateral action, including US tariffs, and calling for greater efforts to advance multilateralism.
He urged countries to cooperate to defend the post-war order and – in a veiled reference to the United States – to stand up against “disguised hegemonic logic and bullying acts”.
In a swipe at Western-led groups, Dong framed military alliances and political blocs as “small, exclusive groups that serve hegemonic and selfish interests”, adding that such groups “carve up interests together”.
