China ousts defence minister, the second senior leader to leave in three months

By Yew Lun Tian

BEIJING (Reuters) – China removed its defence minister on Tuesday, the second ousting of a senior leader in three months, raising questions about the stability of the leadership team around Chinese President Xi Jinping.

General Li Shangfu, who has been absent from public view for two months, was dismissed as defence minister and state councillor, according to state media.

China also announced that Qin Gang, who was removed as foreign minister in July, was also stripped of his state councillor position.

China’s top legislators, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, approved the removal of both men, state broadcaster CCTV reported, without given any explanation.

No replacement for Li was named, leaving the country without a defence minister as it prepares to host foreign defence officials at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Oct. 29-31.

Li, 65, disappeared from public view two months ago. Reuters reported last month that he was under investigation for suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development.

Li was placed under U.S. sanctions in 2018 over Beijing’s purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia.

He had only been in the job since March, when Xi started his precedent-breaking third term as head of state. No other defence minister in China had served for a shorter time than Li.

Qin had also served less than a year before he disappeared from public view and was replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi. No formal explanation has been given but the Wall Street Journal cited sources saying Qin had an extramarital affair while he was ambassador to the United States.

With the ousting of both men, the number of China’s state councillors, a more senior rank than minister, is down to three.

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