Archive photo: Wei Fenghe (left) and Li Shangfu
China has sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fengyi and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve on corruption charges, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.The announcement represents one of the most dramatic developments in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s long-term campaign to combat corruption within the military and political establishment.According to Xinhua News Agency, the two former ministers were convicted of crimes related to graft.The Chinese authorities have not yet published the full details of the court rulings or the extent of the alleged corruption linked to the two former military commanders.
Investigate and remove Li Shangfu
Li Shangfu was placed under investigation in 2024 before being expelled from the ruling Communist Party. Disciplinary agencies found Li guilty of a “serious violation” of political and organizational discipline, including accepting “huge sums of money and valuables in exchange for favours.”Lee was also accused of seeking “improper advantages in personnel arrangements for himself and others.” Li, who was also a member of China’s powerful Central Military Commission, disappeared from public view for several months before being abruptly removed as defense minister in 2023.Wei Fengyi, Li’s predecessor as defense minister, was also fired over similar corruption allegations.
Wider military purge under Xi Jinping
The ruling comes amid a widespread purge within the People’s Liberation Army.
Last year, Xi launched a crackdown on senior military officials, expelling nine senior generals, including former Central Military Commission vice chairman He Weidong, over alleged violations of party discipline and corruption.
reconnaissance
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The Chinese People’s Liberation Army newspaper described the behavior of the purged officials as a “total collapse of beliefs” that damaged “the unity of the army” and the Communist Party’s authority over the armed forces.Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has seen several prominent political and military figures disappear from public life or face disciplinary action in recent years, including former Foreign Minister Chen Gang.Analysts said the campaign aims not only to fight corruption but also to tighten Xi’s control over the military ahead of major political shifts.