Former Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu removed from Central Military Commission as downfall gathers pace
Li is still a member of the party’s Central Committee and retains his seat in the legislature.
Last year also saw a number of senior generals being removed from their commands, prompting speculation that President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive is deepening in the military.
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China sacks defence minister Li Shangfu with no explanation after nearly two-month absence
Nine of those commanders were also stripped of their seats in the legislature in December.
The NPC this month said the nine were suspected of “violations of discipline and the law”, usually a euphemism for corruption.
Questions have also been raised about the fate of Li’s predecessor Wei Fenghe, after he did not appear on a list of senior officials who received Lunar New Year greetings from the leadership – a common courtesy. Wei has not been seen in public since then.
Removal of China’s defence minister ends Li Shangfu’s stratospheric career
The NPC Standing Committee met on Tuesday ahead of next week’s meeting of the full legislature –both events that might provide a window of opportunity to confirm those appointments.
Additional reporting by Amber Wang