National Liberation Army & Dong Junfeng

National Liberation Army: The PLA expands its military engagement with Indonesia, strengthening China's defense ties and regional influence.

Dong Junfeng: Chinese Defense Minister met Indonesian counterpart to boost military ties.

National Liberation Army: The People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent a delegation of experts and scholars to the Shangri-La Dialogue, a lower-profile presence than usual, which analysts suggest is to avoid tough questions regarding military corruption and combat readiness.

Dong Junfeng: Dong Junfeng, China's Defense Minister, notably skipped the Shangri-La Dialogue for the second consecutive year, which was seen as a missed opportunity for dialogue and a reflection of China's reluctance to face tough questions.