Chinese Defense Minister's Abrupt Cancellation and Disappearance Raise Questions About Elite Politics

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu abruptly canceled a meeting with Vietnamese officials last week due to reported "health conditions".

Li's absence raises questions given other recent Chinese leadership shakeups like Foreign Minister Qin Gang's replacement.

As a State Councilor, Li ranks higher than a regular minister in China's cabinet.

Li was last seen publicly in Beijing on August 29 and was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018.

Li's disappearance follows Qin's, highlighting the opaqueness of Chinese elite politics to the outside world.