ISTANBUL

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun called on the military to help maintain “internal and external” stability as the country’s annual political meetings take place in Beijing, according to a report Tuesday.

Dong made the remarks during the ongoing “Two Sessions,” the annual gatherings of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the South China Morning Post reported.

The meetings, which began last week in Beijing, bring together thousands of delegates. Dong is attending as a deputy representing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the 14th NPC.

“Efforts should be made to shape a secure and stable internal and external environment and safeguard the period of strategic opportunity,” Dong told lawmakers, including representatives from the military and armed police forces.

The military, he added, “should stabilize the situation and shape the momentum … serve the broader political and diplomatic agenda, conduct resolute and effective struggle, stabilize and manage the situation effectively, and firmly grasp the strategic initiative.”

Dong, 65, a maritime commander by training, became China’s defense minister in December 2023 after Beijing removed his predecessor Gen. Li Shangfu from the post.

According to the report, Dong referred to stability more frequently in his remarks than to military modernization or combat readiness.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also addressed military loyalty during the political meetings.

Xi said Saturday there was “no place” in the People’s Liberation Army for those who are “disloyal” to the ruling Communist Party and stressed the need to “fully leverage the unique strengths of enhancing political loyalty” in the military.

His comments come as the Chinese military has undergone major internal investigations in recent years.

Two senior generals, Zhang Youxia and Gen. Liu Zhenli, have been under investigation since January for what authorities described as “suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations.”

With Zhang and Liu under investigation, the seven-member Central Military Commission (CMC) led by Xi currently has only two active members, including Xi himself and Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin.

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- Military pledges loyalty to Xi

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the joint delegation of the PLA and People's Armed Police Force to the NPC said Tuesday that the military deputies at the NPC "pledged to implement the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the chairman of the CMC."

The delegates also committed to “deepen political rectification, strengthen all-around military training and combat readiness, and pool strength to advance high-quality development,” Zhang said in a statement.

On defense spending, Zhang said the military will focus on "promoting the integrated development of the military through mechanization, informatization, and the application of smart technologies."

"The spending will be used to optimize the joint operational system and enhance the development of advanced combat capabilities," he said.

China has increased its defense budget by about 7% this year, allocating roughly $275 billion for the current fiscal period.