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

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has been conspicuously absent from recent key military meetings, fuelling speculation about his whereabouts and political future.
Li, a public face of China's military, missed a major meeting on Friday and a scheduled meeting with Vietnamese officials earlier this month.
Li's disappearance follows the unexplained absence this summer of then-Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was replaced in his role.
U.S. officials have claimed Li is facing some political trouble, but China has provided no official explanation for his absence.
Li's disappearance comes amid other recent shake-ups in China's military leadership, including a sudden change of command in the PLA Rocket Force.

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Posted 9/15/2023, 6:23:06 PM

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

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has been conspicuously absent from recent key military meetings, fuelling speculation about his whereabouts and political future.
Li, a public face of China's military, missed a major meeting on Friday and a scheduled meeting with Vietnamese officials earlier this month.
Li's disappearance follows the unexplained absence this summer of then-Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was replaced in his role.
U.S. officials have claimed Li is facing some political trouble, but China has provided no official explanation for his absence.
Li's disappearance comes amid other recent shake-ups in China's military leadership, including a sudden change of command in the PLA Rocket Force.

scmp.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 Facing Corruption Probe and Likely Removal Amid Leadership Shakeup

9/16/2023

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