China signals maritime ambitions with first defence chief from navy

Beijing could be gearing up for showdown with US over Taiwan and in South China Sea

- Benjamin Kang Lim

China's appointment for the first time of a naval officer as its defence minister is a signal that President Xi Jinping is serious about his 2017 pledge to turn a traditional land power into a maritime one.

But the promotion of Admiral Dong Jun, 62, from navy commander on Dec 29 is also a hint that China is gearing up for a possible showdown with the United States over Taiwan and in the South China Sea, with his experience having been in these regions.

"Dong Jun's appointment is part of Xi's aspiration to turn China into a 'strong maritime nation", a military analyst told The Straits Times, requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to foreign media.

He added: "We do not seek war with the US, but we have to prepare for the worst."

In China, the defence minister's role is a largely diplomatic one, with Adm Dong's remit being to interact with his foreign counterparts, including US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, to avoid miscalculations and reduce the risk of conflict in the event of accidents in the waters and airspace near China.

And this role has become all the more important as rivalry between the US and China intensifies and tension between the two powers escalates particularly in the East and South-east Asian regions, where China sees the self-ruled Taiwan as a part of its territory to be unified with the mainland, and where it has territorial disputes with several neighbours, including in the South China Sea.

The US is an ally of several countries in the region, and has an obligation to enable Taiwan to defend itself as well as maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force against the island.

"Dong Jun will articulate our Taiwan and South China Sea policies," the military analyst said.

A native of the eastern coastal province of Shandong, Adm Dong has been in leadership roles in the navy over the past 10 years.