5 Critical Facts About China's Ministry Of Defense: The New Admiral, The Real Power, And The 2025 Military Goals
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a cabinet-level department under the State Council, but its role is often misunderstood on the global stage. As of today, December 21, 2025, the MND is at the forefront of China's diplomatic outreach and a key voice in defining the nation's strategic security interests, yet it does not hold the operational command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The recent appointment of a new Defense Minister, Admiral Dong Jun, marks a significant shift in leadership following a period of high-profile personnel turbulence. This change signals a renewed focus on maritime security and strategic projection as China accelerates its ambitious military modernization goals, aiming for a "world-class" military by mid-century. Understanding the MND’s unique structure and its relationship with the Central Military Commission (CMC) is crucial for anyone tracking global security and the future trajectory of Chinese power.
Admiral Dong Jun: The 14th Minister of National Defense Profile
The appointment of Admiral Dong Jun in late December 2023 was a pivotal moment, making him the 14th person to hold the post. He succeeded General Li Shangfu, who was removed from office months earlier. Dong Jun is the first Navy chief to take on the role, a move that highlights the growing strategic importance of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in China's defense policy.
- Name: Dong Jun (董军)
- Rank: Admiral (Shangjiang)
- Date of Birth: c. 1961 or 1963
- Current Role: Minister of National Defense (since December 29, 2023)
- Predecessor: General Li Shangfu (Removed in October 2023)
- Key Previous Roles:
- Commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) (Sept 2021 – Dec 2023)
- Deputy Commander of the Southern Theater Command (Responsible for operations in the South China Sea)
- Deputy Commander of the East Sea Fleet
- Promoted to Rear Admiral in 2012
- Significance: His background as a career naval officer underscores China's pivot toward maritime security and power projection, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and the contentious South China Sea.
The Dual Power Structure: MND vs. The Central Military Commission (CMC)
For international observers, the most critical aspect of China's defense establishment is the distinction between the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and the Central Military Commission (CMC). Unlike defense ministries in most Western nations, the MND is primarily an administrative and diplomatic body and does not exercise operational command over the PLA.
The system is designed to ensure the military's absolute loyalty to the Communist Party of China (CPC), not the state's government apparatus.
The Real Command Authority: The Central Military Commission (CMC)
The CMC, currently chaired by President Xi Jinping, is the highest decision-making body for the armed forces and holds the unified command of the entire nation’s military forces, including the PLA, the People's Armed Police, and the militia. The MND Minister, though a high-ranking official, is technically a subordinate to the CMC.
- Central Military Commission (CMC): Directs and assumes unified command over the People's Liberation Army (PLA). It is the ultimate source of military power.
- Ministry of National Defense (MND): A cabinet-level executive department under the State Council. Its primary responsibilities include:
- Military-to-Military Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs (e.g., attending the Xiangshan Forum, hosting foreign dignitaries).
- Military Conscription (Recruitment).
- Public Information and Press Conferences (The MND is the public face of the PLA).
- Administration of National Defense work.
This structure means that while Minister Dong Jun is a key diplomatic figure, strategic military decisions—from budget allocation to troop deployment—are made by the CMC. This clarifies why the MND is often seen more as a "megaphone" for China's defense policy rather than the strategic decision-maker.
China's 2025 Military Modernization and Strategic Projection Goals
The Ministry of National Defense's public statements consistently reflect the ambitious goals set by the CMC and President Xi Jinping for comprehensive military modernization. The overarching objective is to transform the PLA into a "world-class military" by 2049, the centennial of the PRC. However, several critical milestones are set for the near term, with 2025 being a key year for assessing progress.
1. Achieving "Integrated Mechanization and Informatization" by 2027
The immediate goal is to make "significant progress" in three core areas by 2027: information warfare, military mechanization, and strategic projection. This involves integrating advanced technologies into all military branches, moving beyond traditional platforms, and ensuring the PLA can project power far from its borders.
2. The Maritime Focus: Building the World's Largest Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is a central pillar of the modernization drive. The MND is overseeing the expansion of the PLAN, which is already numerically the largest navy in the world. Projections indicate the PLAN fleet size will grow from approximately 370 ships and submarines to 395 by 2025, and potentially 435 by 2030. This expansion is directly tied to China's sovereignty claims in the South China Sea and its growing global interests.
3. Technological Self-Reliance and Military-Civil Fusion (MCF)
A core policy driving China's defense strategy is "technological self-reliance" and the Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) strategy. This policy aims to leverage the civilian high-tech sector—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace—for military applications. The MND plays a role in promoting this fusion, which seeks to minimize exposure to foreign supply chains and accelerate indigenous innovation in key infrastructure.
4. Upholding Sovereignty and Security Interests
The fundamental goal of China's national defense in the new era, as articulated by the MND, is the "resolute safeguarding of China's sovereignty, security, and development interests." This language is a clear reference to contentious areas like Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the Sino-Indian border. The MND’s public statements, such as those at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, consistently reinforce this non-negotiable position.
The ongoing U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks, a key diplomatic channel managed by the MND, are a critical component of managing these strategic tensions, especially regarding military-to-military communications and crisis management in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Entities and Strategic Context (Topical Authority)
To fully grasp the scope of China's defense apparatus, it is essential to understand the network of entities and strategic concepts the Ministry of National Defense operates within:
- People's Liberation Army (PLA): The unified armed forces of the PRC.
- People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN): The rapidly expanding naval branch, central to strategic projection.
- Southern Theater Command: A key military region responsible for the South China Sea.
- Xiangshan Forum: China's premier international security and defense forum, often hosted by the MND for diplomatic outreach.
- Military-Civil Fusion (MCF): The national strategy to integrate civilian technology and infrastructure with military development.
- Defense Policy White Paper: The official document outlining China's national defense strategy and arms control position.
- Strategic Support Force (PLASSF): A new branch established during the military reforms, focusing on space, cyber, and electronic warfare.
- State Council: The chief administrative authority of the PRC, under which the MND operates.
The Ministry of National Defense, under Admiral Dong Jun’s leadership, continues to serve as the critical diplomatic bridge between the powerful Central Military Commission and the rest of the world. Its actions and statements in 2025 will be key indicators of how China intends to balance its aggressive military modernization with its stated commitment to regional peace and stability. The ongoing focus on naval power, technological self-reliance, and information warfare ensures the MND remains one of the most closely watched defense ministries globally.
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