China's new Defense Minister Dong Jun spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu for the first time since taking office. At a video conference, he assured Russia of his country's support in the Ukraine war.
Dong Jun succeeded Li Shangfu, who disappeared in the fall after only about six months in office and was later removed from office. In China, the defense minister functions primarily as a public representative of the military. He has no real power because decision-making authority over military affairs lies with state and party leader Xi Jinping.