China names navy ex-chief as new defence minister

​ China on Friday named former navy commander Dong Jun as its new defence minister, state media said, filling a vacancy created by the surprise removal of Li Shangfu in October. Dong was appointed at a meeting of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, state news agency Xinhua said. Beijing has not given an official reason for Li's removal after his seven months in the role, which followed a lengthy disappearance from public view.