The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has expelled former Defence Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor, Wei Fenghe, amid an anticorruption crackdown, according to state media.
Li, who disappeared from public view for nearly two months before being dismissed in October 2023, was expelled along with Wei for “serious violation of party discipline and the law,” reported the official news agency Xinhua on Thursday.
Their expulsions occur amid rising tensions between China and the United States over issues such as Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Xinhua noted that Li’s case has been handed over to military prosecutors, potentially leading to a trial and life imprisonment.
The announcement followed a meeting of the party’s Politburo, where it was determined that Li had “betrayed his original mission and lost his party spirit and principles,” according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Li is accused of significantly damaging the party’s cause and the military’s development by “seriously polluting the political environment and industrial ethos in the field of military equipment.”
Additionally, Li faces bribery charges, accused of leveraging his position to amass significant sums of money for personal gain and offering bribes for improper benefits, CCTV reported.
Wei, who retired as defence minister in 2023, was accused of accepting money and gifts in exchange for favors and violating party rules, according to Xinhua. His case has also been referred to military prosecutors.
President Xi Jinping, the party leader and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has prioritized the fight against corruption since taking power over a decade ago. Insiders allege a widespread purge of officers seen as disloyal to Xi. High-ranking officers hold significant influence in Chinese politics and enjoy extensive privileges, and Li was considered a loyalist to Xi.
Chinese media also reported on Thursday that the CCP’s high-level third plenum would take place on July 15-18, later than expected. The plenum will focus on strategies to boost China’s economy amid rising geopolitical tensions with the US and the European Union.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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