China has named former Navy chief Dong Jun as the country’s new defence minister. Dong’s appointment comes after the mysterious disappearance of the previous minister, Li Shangfu, who vanished from public view four months ago.

Chinese lawmakers officially endorsed the appointment, aligning with President Xi Jinping’s efforts to enhance the country’s military capabilities as part of the broader goal to establish China as a dominant world power. This military expansion has raised concerns among neighboring nations, given China’s assertive stance in various geopolitical hotspots.

As the newly appointed defence minister, Dong Jun is set to play a crucial role as the public face of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), engaging with the media and armed forces both domestically and internationally. One of his primary responsibilities will be to manage interactions with the United States military, particularly focusing on mitigating the risk of conflicts related to Taiwan and the South China Sea—two contentious flashpoints in the region.

Dong, 62, brings extensive experience to the role, having served as the People’s Liberation Army Navy chief and attained the rank of full general in 2021. His previous roles include vice commander of the East Sea Fleet and vice commander of the Southern Theatre Command, where he dealt with territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Experts suggest that Dong’s familiarity with managing encounters between Chinese and U.S. military forces will be advantageous in handling potential crises. Li Mingjiang, an international relations scholar at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, commented, “Dong would be familiar with managing near-encounters between Chinese and US military. This is useful when he has to manage crises between both militaries.”

Some analysts speculate that Dong’s selection might indicate ongoing purges within the Rocket Force and Equipment Development Department. The previous defence ministers, who hailed from these forces, disappeared from public view before Dong’s appointment.

Dong Jun replaces Li Shangfu, who, according to Reuters sources, is under investigation for corruption related to equipment procurement and development. Li, who previously headed the equipment procurement and research department, has not been seen in public since August 25. Although Beijing has not officially explained Li’s disappearance, he was stripped of his titles as defence minister and state councillor in October.

Unlike his predecessor, Dong faces no known constraints or sanctions from the United States. During Li Shangfu’s tenure, he did not meet with his U.S. counterpart, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, citing the need for Washington to lift sanctions imposed in 2018 over Li’s role in purchasing Russian aircraft and equipment.

With Dong Jun at the helm, China aims to strengthen its military capabilities and navigate diplomatic challenges, particularly in the context of the recent agreement between President Joe Biden and President Xi to resume senior military talks, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations.