China’s defense minister: China sentences former defense ministers to death in sweeping military corruption crackdown
File photo: Wei Fenghe (left) and Li Shangfu
China has sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve on corruption charges, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.The announcement is one of the most dramatic developments in a long-running anti-corruption campaign within Chinese President Xi Jinping’s military and political establishment.According to Xinhua, both former ministers were found guilty of corruption-related crimes.Chinese authorities have not yet released full details of the court rulings or the scale of the alleged corruption involving the two former military leaders.
Li Shangfu’s investigation and removal
Li Shangfu was placed under investigation in 2024 before being expelled from the ruling Communist Party. Disciplinary agencies found Lee guilty of “serious violations” of political and organizational discipline, including accepting “large sums of money and valuables” in exchange for favors.Lee was also accused of seeking “undue advantages in personnel arrangements for himself and others.” Li, who was also a member of China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), disappeared from public view for months before his sudden removal from the post of defense minister in 2023.Li’s predecessor as defense minister, Wei Fenghe, was also expelled over similar corruption charges.
Extensive military purge under Xi Jinping
The sentencing comes amid a widespread crackdown within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Last year, Xi expelled nine top generals, including former Central Military Commission vice chairman He Weidong, in a sweeping crackdown on senior military officials over alleged violations of party discipline and corruption.
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The PLA Daily described the conduct of the removed officers as a “complete collapse of trusts” that damaged “the unity of the army” and the Communist Party’s authority over the armed forces.Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has led to several senior political and military figures disappearing from public life or facing disciplinary action in recent years, including former foreign minister Qin Gang.Analysts have said the campaign is aimed not only at tackling corruption but also strengthening Xi’s control over the military ahead of major political changes.