Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for three weeks, sparking speculation he is under investigation.
Both Li and Qin serve among China’s five state councillors, a senior position in the cabinet that outranks a regular minister.
Li also sits on the Central Military Commission, a powerful body headed by Xi that commands the armed forces.
China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu gives a speech during the Moscow Conference on International Security on August 15.
Last week, as speculation mounted over the whereabouts of the defense minister, Xi called for unity and stability within the military during an inspection in China’s northeast.
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