New Delhi: The Defence Minister of China Li Shangfu has been conspicuously absent from public view for more than two weeks. He last made a public appearance during his keynote speech at the 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing on August 29, and has not been seen in public since that event.
His absence has promoted widespread speculation regarding his whereabouts and political future in the Chinese leadership circle.
China’s leadership landscape was reshuffled recently and also there is an investigations undergoing into corruption cases within the military.
Speculations have been heightened after comments from Rahm Emanuel, the US Ambassador in Japan. He said in a September 8 post on X, “President Xi’s cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christie’s novel And Then There Were None. First, Foreign Minister Qin Gang goes missing, then the Rocket Force commanders go missing, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn’t been seen in public for two weeks. Who’s going to win this unemployment race? China’s youth or Xi’s cabinet?
Recent leadership changes in China, including the demotion of key officials, have further fueled speculation about Li Shangfu’s current status. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also taken proactive steps within the Chinese military, which have led to the removal of notable figures such as Qin Gang, and commanders Li Yuchao, and Xu Zhongbo. This is also widely seen as Xi’s military consolidation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Li Shangfu joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in August 1982 and holds a Doctor of Engineering degree. He is also a member of the party’s current Central Committee, a grouping of the top leaders.
According to an article in The Diplomat, published when Li was speculated to be elevated to the Ministerial post in March 2023, his father was a top PLA railway force general. It added, “Li is unique in his experience in both space operations and acquisition.” He was also under US sanctions for China’s purchase of Russian missile systems.
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