China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun will not attend this week’s meeting of Southeast Asian defence chiefs and their dialogue partners in Cebu, Philippines. Instead, Beijing is sending its defence attache in the Philippines to represent the country at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). This marks a significant absence, as Dong has participated in the ADMM-Plus for the past two years, highlighting the importance of the forum in regional security discussions.

The timing of Dong’s absence coincides with the fifth plenum of the Communist Party of China, which is currently taking place in Beijing. This plenum, running from Monday to Friday, is a critical meeting where key policies and strategies are discussed, making it a priority for Chinese leadership over international engagements. The ADMM and ADMM-Plus are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, further emphasizing the clash in scheduling between domestic priorities and international diplomacy.S1S2

The Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus is a platform that includes not only Asean member states but also dialogue partners such as China, Japan, and the United States, focusing on enhancing regional security cooperation. Dong’s absence raises questions about China’s commitment to its relationships with Southeast Asian nations at a time when geopolitical tensions are on the rise in the region.S1S2