China Defense Minister's Sudden Disappearance Raises Doubts About Xi's Leadership

China's defense minister, General Li Shangfu, has mysteriously vanished and may have been detained. His absence raises questions about Xi Jinping's leadership.
Li is the latest in a series of top generals to be abruptly dismissed under Xi's military reforms. This suggests Xi's purge goes beyond the Rocket Force.
The shakeup calls into question the PLA's capacity to fight and Xi's ability to appoint trustworthy personnel.
Explanations include connections to Rocket Force corruption, Li's procurement history, or failures to follow Xi's orders.
Regardless of the reason, the turmoil damages PLA morale and public image, amplifying doubts about Xi's governance as he faces many challenges.

economist.com

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