File photo: Wei Fenghe (left) and Li Shangfu
China has sentenced former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve on corruption charges, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.The announcement marks one of the most dramatic developments in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s long-running anti-corruption campaign within the military and political establishment.As per Xinhua, both former ministers were found guilty of graft-related offences.Chinese authorities have not yet released full details of the court rulings or the scale of the alleged corruption linked to the two former military leaders.
Li Shangfu’s investigation and removal
Li Shangfu had been placed under investigation in 2024 before being expelled from the ruling Communist Party. Disciplinary agencies found Li guilty of “serious violation” of political and organisational discipline, including accepting “huge sums of money and valuables in return” for favours.Li was also accused of seeking “improper benefits in personnel arrangements for himself and others.” Li, who was also a member of China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), disappeared from public view for months before being abruptly removed as defence minister in 2023.Wei Fenghe, Li’s predecessor as defence minister, was also expelled on similar corruption allegations.
Wider military purge under Xi Jinping
The sentencing comes amid a broader purge within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Last year, Xi launched a sweeping crackdown on senior military officials, expelling nine top generals, including former Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman He Weidong, over alleged violations of party discipline and corruption.The PLA Daily had described the conduct of purged officials as a “total collapse of beliefs” that damaged “the army’s unity” and Communist Party authority over the armed forces.Xi’s anti-corruption drive has seen several senior political and military figures disappear from public life or face disciplinary action in recent years, including former foreign minister Qin Gang.Analysts have said the campaign is aimed not only at tackling graft but also at tightening Xi’s control over the military ahead of key political transitions.