Ex-Defence Ministers Sentenced: Shockwaves in China's Military Hierarchy

Two former Chinese defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, received death sentences with reprieves for graft. Their removal and sentencing mark a continuation of President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption measures within China’s military framework, impacting the leadership of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force.

In a major development within China's defense sector, former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve over graft charges. The ruling was delivered by China's military court, as reported by state-run agency Xinhua.

Wei, a former head of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, served as Defense Minister from 2018 to 2023. Li, who succeeded Wei, held the position briefly under President Xi Jinping's oversight before being embroiled in corruption allegations.

The sentences highlight President Xi's ongoing anti-corruption campaign which has already punished over a million officials, reflecting the government's stern crackdown on malfeasance within its ranks.