Disappeared for two weeks
China’s defense minister probably dismissed
September 15, 2023, 11:13 a.m
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Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for around two weeks. According to one report, he is no longer in office. He is probably being investigated. This is not the first incident of this kind.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who has not appeared in public for around two weeks, has been removed from office, according to a Western media report. The Wall Street Journal reported that Li was taken in for questioning last week and removed from his post.
The Financial Times reported, citing US officials, that Li was believed to be under investigation. No reasons were given in either report. The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to insiders, the 65-year-old Li has not recently taken part in meetings with his counterparts from Vietnam and Singapore. He last appeared in Beijing on August 29, when he gave a keynote speech at a security forum with African countries.
A few weeks ago, Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s disappearance caused speculation. After the 57-year-old was absent from a summit in Indonesia, state media reported at the end of July that his predecessor Wang Yi was taking over the office again. Diplomats have cited the incident as an example of the closedness of the Chinese leadership and its decision-making processes.