China sends its Manila defence attaché to the 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu on Oct 29; foreign media call it a downgrade from the minister’s attendance last year.
China’s Ministry of National Defense said on its website on 27 October that the defence attaché of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will represent China at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Cebu on 29 October, to exchange views on dialogue and mutual trust and to reaffirm support for ASEAN centrality. The statement gave no reason for Defence Minister Dong Jun’s absence. Reuters and The Straits Times reported that Dong attended the same meeting in Kuala Lumpur in 2025, calling this a clear downgrade in representation; they noted the meeting is hosted by the Philippines amid a continuing South China Sea dispute between Beijing and Manila, and that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend.
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