Stability comes first: Chinese defence chief signals Beijing’s strategic caution

Beijing’s defence minister called for shaping a stable environment for China to serve its broader political and diplomatic agenda, conveying the government’s strategic caution amid global uncertainties, analysts said.Dong Jun gave his comments on Friday during a group discussion involving military and armed police lawmakers at the country’s annual legislative gathering in Beijing.According to meeting minutes made available to the media, Dong on four occasions in his fewer than 400-word remarks said the military’s tasks were to “stabilise” the situation, mentioning stability more often than building military capabilities and maintaining combat readiness.“Efforts should be made to shape a secure and stable internal and external environment and safeguard the period of strategic opportunity,” said Dong, who also serves as a PLA deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC).The military “should stabilise the situation and shape the momentum … serve the broader political and diplomatic agenda, conduct resolute and effective struggle, stabilise and manage the situation effectively, and firmly grasp the strategic initiative”, he added.Military delegates arrive for a plenary session of the National People’s Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP“Period of strategic opportunity” is a political slogan referring to a historical window when external conditions are favourable for national development and the accumulation of power. In 2002, former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin declared that China could enjoy about two decades of strategic opportunity.