by Alberto Galvi –
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been removed from his post. Li had not been seen in public since the end of August. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential decree to dismiss the 65-year-old Li from his post as defense minister, as well as from other political posts including state councilor and member of the Central Military Commission.
In July, Foreign Minister Qin Gang was also removed from his position and was also deprived of his position as State Councilor.
Five state councilors sit in the Chinese government, with a higher position than the other ministers. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approved the removal of the two men.
Wang Yi, a veteran diplomat, was replaced by Qin, while the name of who will succeed Li is not yet known. He had become defense minister in March and had always been seen as a loyalist to Xi.
The United States imposed sanctions on the former minister in 2018 for purchasing weapons from Russia, including Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. He had refused contact with the US military. Sanctions have become a problem for military exchanges between China and the United States.
President Xi has promised to remove all forms of corruption in the public and private spheres, but for several analysts it would be a political strategy implemented to eliminate political rivals and strengthen his position at a time of economic difficulties and growing tensions with the United States.
It is unclear whether Li and Qin will face prosecution or other legal sanctions.
It is not yet clear whether the removal of the two former officials was due to corruption allegations or disputes with influential figures.
Last year, former industry minister Xiao Yaqing disappeared from the public eye for almost a month before it was revealed he was being investigated for corruption.
There is no indication that the disappearances of Qin and Li represent signs of a change in China’s foreign or defense policy, although questions have been raised about the resilience of President and ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.