China's Communist Party Expels Former Defense Ministers Over Corruption Charges
Two former Chinese defense ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, have been expelled from the ruling Communist Party over allegations of corruption. The expulsions come amid a wider crackdown on graft within the military and as tensions between China and major powers such as the US continue to rise.
Li Shangfu, who was removed from office in October 2023 after disappearing from public view for almost two months, was accused of seeking improper benefits for himself and others, taking bribes, and seriously violating political and organizational discipline. His case has been referred to military prosecutors.
Wei Fenghe, who retired as defense minister in 2023 after five years in office, was also expelled over allegations of accepting money and gifts in violation of relevant rules. Both men were stripped of their qualifications as delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The purge against Li and Wei is part of a wider anticorruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping, who has made rooting out corruption a central tenet of his administration. The crackdown has seen numerous high-ranking officials removed from their posts over the past year.
Li's disappearance from public view and sudden removal as defense minister sparked widespread speculation about his fate, with some observers suggesting that he may have fallen out of favor with Xi or been targeted for his role in military procurement. Li was also under U.S. travel and financial sanctions related to the purchase of Russian military hardware at the time of his disappearance.
The expulsion of Li and Wei from the CCP is likely to be seen as a signal that Xi's anticorruption campaign is far from over, particularly within the military. The purge also comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and major powers such as the US over issues including Taiwan, human rights, and trade.
Sources: Xinhua News Agency CCTV Al Jazeera
