By Salam Bustanji
China's Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, who was appointed in March, has been dismissed from his post after a mysterious two-month absence from public view.
This move marks the second recent high-profile dismissal without official explanation, following the removal of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July, who also lost his position as a state councilor.
Li's removal extends beyond his role as Defense Minister; he has also been ousted from his positions on the Central Military Commission and as one of China's five state councilors. This shakeup was approved by the standing committee of the National People’s Congress, China's legislative body, which did not name a successor.
The disappearance of these senior ministers in quick succession raises questions about the governance style of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who has been concentrating power and enforcing stricter party discipline. Furthermore, Xi's recent emphasis on political loyalty and party control over the armed forces during a meeting with military leaders has triggered concerns of a broader purge in the military.
Interestingly, Li's removal may pave the way for the resumption of high-level military talks between China and the United States. Li had been sanctioned by the US in 2018 over China’s purchase of Russian weapons, and China had suggested that meetings with the US defense secretary wouldn't occur unless these sanctions were lifted.
Reports suggest that Li was taken away for questioning in September, but the reason for the investigation remains undisclosed. The Chinese government has refrained from commenting on Li’s whereabouts or the cause of his absence.
Li's career has been marked by his involvement in China’s satellite-launch programs and his subsequent rise through the ranks. He is considered a protege of General Zhang Youxia, a close ally of Xi in the military. From 2017 to 2022, Li oversaw China’s weapon procurement as the head of the Equipment Development Department, a position previously held by Zhang.
Li's last public appearance was on August 29, when he spoke at the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing. His last overseas trip was in mid-August to Russia and Belarus. The implications of Li's removal and the broader political shifts in China continue to be subjects of intense speculation and scrutiny.
