Just four months ago, China’s defense minister, Gen. Li Shangfu, was at a forum for regional officials in Singapore, serving as the face of his country’s bold vision for reshaping Asia’s balance of power.
China’s announcement on Tuesday ended some uncertainty about General Li’s professional fate but leaves open questions about whether he is being investigated for any offenses.
Officials in the United States had earlier said that Chinese authorities had placed him under investigation for corruption.
General Li is the second Chinese minister to be purged this year without explanation and under a cloud of suspicion; the foreign minister, Qin Gang, was dismissed in July.
The general’s removal also followed an abrupt shake-up in the leadership of China’s nuclear force, the highest-level upheaval in China’s military in recent years.
Persons:
Li Shangfu, Li, Xi Jinping, Li’s, General Li, Qin Gang
Organizations:
United States
Locations:
Singapore, China, United States, United