Chinese Defense Minister Facing Corruption Probe and Likely Removal Amid Leadership Shakeup

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu is under investigation for corruption and will likely be removed. This raises uncertainty over China's foreign policy leadership.
Li's dismissal follows other recent purges of top security officials like Foreign Minister Qin Gang and PLA Rocket Force leadership.
The shakeup comes amid economic struggles and Xi's consolidation of power, narrowing his inner circle.
Li previously led military procurement and his department is now investigating procurement violations during his tenure.
Analysts say the churn in China's diplomatic and military leadership makes it harder for outside powers to understand its foreign policy direction.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/11/2023

China's Defence Minister Missing Amid Speculation of Beijing Power Struggle

China's defense minister, Li Shangfu, has been absent from public events since August 29th, sparking rumors and speculation about his whereabouts and raising concerns about China's political landscape.

9/11/2023

Chinese Elites Keep Mysteriously Disappearing and Reappearing, Sparking Rumors of Party Crackdowns

The disappearance of China's defence minister Li Shangfu is part of a pattern of rising stars in the Communist Party of China running afoul of Beijing's powers, as seen in previous instances involving prominent personalities such as the former foreign minister Qin Gang, ex-general secretary Hu Jintao, former IT minister Xiao Yaqing, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, actor Fan Bingbing, tennis player Peng Shuai, actor Zhao Wei, and Interpol chief Meng Hongwei.

9/14/2023

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

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu abruptly canceled a meeting with Vietnamese defense leaders, raising questions about his extended absence and adding to recent leadership shake-ups in China.

9/15/2023

U.S. Questions if China's Defense Minister is Under House Arrest After 3 Weeks of Missed Meetings

China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu's more than two-week absence has led the U.S. ambassador to Japan to question whether he has been placed under house arrest, adding to concerns about transparency in China's leadership.

9/15/2023

Chinese Defense Minister's Unexplained Absence Fuels Speculation of Political Turmoil

China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu's unexplained absence from recent meetings has raised questions about his whereabouts and political future, amid speculation about his potential political trouble and health issues.

9/16/2023

Xi's Anti-Graft Purges Sow Uncertainty Among China's Elite

The disappearance of China's defense minister, Li Shangfu, and other political upheavals are causing uncertainty about President Xi Jinping's rule and could impact other countries' confidence in China's leadership.

9/19/2023

China Removes Foreign Minister Qin Gang Amid Investigation Into Affair and National Security Concerns

China removed former Foreign Minister Qin Gang from his post after an investigation revealed he conducted an affair and fathered a child while serving as US ambassador, sparking concerns about President Xi Jinping's decision-making and the stability of the government.

10/12/2023

General Liu Zhenli Poised to Become China's New Defense Minister, Offering Opportunity to Improve Military Ties with U.S.

General Liu Zhenli, the head of China's military combat operations, is likely to replace Defence Minister Li Shangfu, potentially boosting military engagement with the United States amid regional tensions and providing a figure with combat experience for international military diplomacy.

Topics

Posted 9/15/2023, 7:17:00 AM

Chinese Defense Minister Facing Corruption Probe and Likely Removal Amid Leadership Shakeup

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu is under investigation for corruption and will likely be removed. This raises uncertainty over China's foreign policy leadership.
Li's dismissal follows other recent purges of top security officials like Foreign Minister Qin Gang and PLA Rocket Force leadership.
The shakeup comes amid economic struggles and Xi's consolidation of power, narrowing his inner circle.
Li previously led military procurement and his department is now investigating procurement violations during his tenure.
Analysts say the churn in China's diplomatic and military leadership makes it harder for outside powers to understand its foreign policy direction.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/11/2023

China's Defence Minister Missing Amid Speculation of Beijing Power Struggle

9/11/2023

Chinese Elites Keep Mysteriously Disappearing and Reappearing, Sparking Rumors of Party Crackdowns

9/14/2023

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

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu abruptly canceled a meeting with Vietnamese defense leaders, raising questions about his extended absence and adding to recent leadership shake-ups in China.

9/15/2023

U.S. Questions if China's Defense Minister is Under House Arrest After 3 Weeks of Missed Meetings

9/15/2023

Chinese Defense Minister's Unexplained Absence Fuels Speculation of Political Turmoil

9/16/2023

Xi's Anti-Graft Purges Sow Uncertainty Among China's Elite

9/19/2023

China Removes Foreign Minister Qin Gang Amid Investigation Into Affair and National Security Concerns

10/12/2023

General Liu Zhenli Poised to Become China's New Defense Minister, Offering Opportunity to Improve Military Ties with U.S.