China removes Defence Minister Li Shangfu 'missing' for 2 months
China has removed Li Shangfu as the defense minister and state councilor without providing any explanation, the country's state news agency Xinhua reported. This development follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding the general, who has been sanctioned by the United States (US) and absent from public appearances since August. Li is the second minister to be unexpectedly dismissed since President Xi Jinping commenced his unparalleled third term in March 2023.
Who is Li Shangfu?
At 65 years old, Li was not only the public representative of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) but also a member of the Central Military Commission, the governing body of the PLA, per The Associated Press. Within this organization, Li held a position just below its chairperson, Xi, and vice-chairpersons Zhang Youxia and He Weidong. Li faces US sanctions due to his involvement in supervising weapon acquisitions from Russia, which prohibit him from entering the US.
Impact on China's foreign, defense policies
There is no evidence to suggest that the sudden departures of Li and former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July indicate any shifts in China's foreign or defense strategies, The Associated Press said. However, these dismissals have sparked curiosity about the stability of Xi's inner circle. Known for prioritizing loyalty above all else, Xi has consistently targeted corruption in both public and private sectors.
Pentagon delegation to visit for regional security forum
The news of Li's dismissal comes just before a Pentagon delegation is scheduled to arrive in Beijing to attend a regional security conference. Notably, China has severed ties with the US military, primarily in response to American arms sales to Taiwan, which the former does not recognize. As of now, no successor for Li has been named, creating uncertainty ahead of the forthcoming security forum.
