In one of the most significant developments in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, two former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, have been handed suspended death sentences after being convicted of corruption-related offences. The verdicts, announced by state media on Thursday, underscore the Chinese leadership’s continued efforts to root out misconduct within the country’s military establishment while reinforcing President Xi Jinping’s authority over the armed forces.
According to reports from the official Xinhua News Agency, a military court found both former ministers guilty of accepting bribes and engaging in corrupt practices during their respective tenures. Each was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, a punishment that under Chinese law is typically commuted to life imprisonment after two years if the convicted individual commits no further offences during that period. The sentences were accompanied by strict conditions, including the permanent confiscation of all personal assets and the denial of any future sentence reductions or parole opportunities.
The ruling marks a dramatic fall from grace for two men who once occupied some of the most powerful positions in China’s military hierarchy. Wei Fenghe served as China’s Minister of National Defence from 2018 until 2023, playing a key role during a period of heightened military modernization and growing geopolitical tensions. He was succeeded by Li Shangfu in March 2023, but Li’s tenure proved remarkably short-lived.
Li’s abrupt disappearance from public view in August 2023 sparked widespread speculation both within China and internationally. Two months later, he was formally dismissed from his post, fueling rumours of an internal investigation. Subsequent reports revealed that authorities suspected him of accepting substantial bribes and providing favours in exchange for financial gain.
Past findings cited by Chinese state media alleged that Li had received “huge sums of money” and had also participated in bribing others. Investigators concluded that he failed to uphold his political responsibilities and used his position to secure benefits for himself and associates. Such allegations represented serious violations within a political system that places significant emphasis on loyalty to the Communist Party and adherence to party discipline.
Wei Fenghe faced similar accusations. Investigators reportedly determined that he accepted large amounts of money and valuable assets in exchange for helping individuals obtain improper advantages, particularly in military personnel appointments. The findings painted a picture of systemic corruption involving the misuse of authority within senior military ranks.
The convictions form part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that has swept through China’s military leadership over the past several years. The crackdown has resulted in the removal, investigation, or punishment of numerous high-ranking officers and defence officials, highlighting concerns within the Chinese leadership about discipline, accountability, and political loyalty inside the armed forces.
The campaign has also reached some of the military’s most senior figures. Recent months have seen the dismissal of several top commanders, including prominent generals and officials associated with strategic military programmes. The removals have raised questions among observers about the extent of corruption within China’s defence establishment and the leadership’s determination to address it.
President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean and disciplined military. In February, he made a rare public reference to the ongoing purge, stating that the People’s Liberation Army had undergone “revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption.” His comments signaled both the scale of the campaign and its significance to his broader vision of building a modern, combat-ready military under firm Communist Party control.
Since assuming power in 2012, Xi has launched multiple waves of anti-corruption initiatives targeting officials across government, state-owned enterprises, and the military. Supporters argue that these efforts have helped strengthen governance, improve accountability, and restore public confidence in state institutions. The campaigns have led to the downfall of hundreds of senior officials, including ministers, provincial leaders, military commanders, and influential business figures.
However, critics have long argued that the anti-corruption drives serve not only as a mechanism for cleaning up misconduct but also as a political tool to eliminate rivals and consolidate power. The removal of senior officials often fuels speculation about internal power struggles within the Communist Party, particularly when investigations involve individuals who once held influential positions.
The sentencing of Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu sends a strong signal that even the highest-ranking military officials are not immune from scrutiny. It also reflects Beijing’s determination to demonstrate accountability within an institution that remains central to China’s national security ambitions and global strategic objectives.
As China continues its military modernization efforts and seeks to expand its influence on the world stage, the leadership appears intent on ensuring that the armed forces remain firmly aligned with party directives. The convictions of two former defence ministers represent not only a major legal development but also a significant chapter in the continuing transformation of China’s political and military landscape.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}