China has officially appointed Dong Jun, the former navy chief as the new defense minister, resolving months of uncertainty that ensued after the dismissal of his predecessor, Li Shangfu, under undisclosed circumstances.

Li Shangfu's removal as defense minister was announced in October, and he has been out of the public eye since late August, adding mystery to his departure. The appointment of Dong Jun as the new defense minister was disclosed by Xinhua during a National People’s Congress standing committee meeting. No explicit reasons for the change or information on Li Shangfu's whereabouts were provided.

Dong assumes the role of defense minister, which is predominantly ceremonial. This transition occurs amidst heightened diplomatic and defense activities by the United States in the Asia Pacific region, as part of its strategic efforts to counterbalance China's influence.

While Dong will serve as the public face representing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in interactions with the media and other military entities, it's essential to note that his ministry will wield limited influence in shaping defense policy or managing military affairs. These critical areas remain under the jurisdiction of the Central Military Commission, a prestigious group led by President Xi Jinping.

A crucial aspect of Dong Jun's responsibilities as the new defense minister will involve actively engaging with the US military with the primary objective of mitigating the risk of potential conflicts in relation to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

China has increased military activity near Taiwan ahead of the upcoming elections. Dong Jun, now PLA navy chief and a full general, previously served as vice commander in the East Sea Fleet, a key component of the Eastern Theatre Command focused on Taiwan-related conflicts.

Dong's professional trajectory also included a stint as the vice commander of the Southern Theatre Command, responsible for operations in the contested South China Sea. It is worth noting that China asserts territorial claims over this region, a stance that has generated tension with neighbouring nations such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, and Malaysia.

Li, who was seen as loyal to Xi, became defense minister in March but was removed amid speculation about corruption or spying. The US had sanctioned him in 2018 for buying weapons from Russia. Xi focuses on fighting corruption, making it unclear why both the defense and foreign ministers were removed. China's unclear politics raise questions about possible disagreements with important people.

Last year, ex-Industry Minister Xiao Yaqing disappeared for nearly a month and later was revealed to be under corruption investigation. China's Rocket Force, responsible for the nuclear arsenal, underwent leadership changes due to a corruption probe involving its former chief in recent months.

Image source: Al Jazeera