China has refused to comment on the whereabouts of its defense minister as questions arise over his status, a month after he was last seen in public.
General Li Shangfu’s absence since the end of August fueled rumors about his fate, but during an interview this Thursday (28), Ministry of Defense spokesman Wu Qian said he was “not aware of the situation” when asked if the minister was under investigation.
See also – In China, minister’s disappearance generates speculation
Li’s disappearance follows a series of inexplicable personal changes that have roiled the upper echelons of China’s Communist Party recently, including the ouster in July of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
Days later, Beijing announced the replacement of two generals who led the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force, the military branch that oversees the country’s arsenal of nuclear and ballistic missiles.
Questioned by CNN Regarding how Li’s absence and the replacement of the two generals impacted operations, Wu referred to comments he made to reporters last month – when he promised to “investigate all cases and crack down on all corrupt officials,” according to Reuters.
The disappearance of two high-level ministers in quick succession has raised questions about the governance of leader Xi Jinping, who has made China’s political system even more opaque as he concentrates power and imposes strict party discipline.
Senior Chinese officials have disappeared from public view in the past, only to be revealed months later by the Communist Party’s disciplinary watchdog to have detained them for investigations.
These sudden disappearances have become a common feature of Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, and information gaps are not uncommon in the Chinese political system.
Where is Li Shangfu?
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Li was taken in by authorities in September for questioning, citing a person close to decision-making in Beijing.
The Financial Times reported that the US government believes the defense minister has been placed under investigation, citing US officials. Neither report cited the reason for the investigation.
When questioned by reporters earlier this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had “nothing to offer” on the matter, which he added was a matter for the Chinese government to decide.
Li, who was sanctioned by the US in 2018 over China’s purchase of Russian weapons, remains listed as China’s defense minister, one of its five state councilors and a member of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC).
In late July, the CMC Equipment Development Department issued a notice requesting public reports on corrupt procurement practices dating back to 2017, which coincides with the period when Li was responsible for procurement at the department.
It is unclear whether any disciplinary action has been or will be taken against Li.
Former Foreign Minister Qin, who disappeared from public view for a month before being removed from his ministerial post, also retained the position of State Councilor, an important role in China’s cabinet, according to the Council’s website of State.
Neither Li nor Qin were pictured in footage of a Communist Party study session attended by senior party officials and broadcast by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday (27). All three other state councilors were visible.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that a Communist Party investigation found that Qin was involved in an extramarital affair while serving as China’s envoy to Washington, citing people familiar with the matter.
Qin had an extramarital affair with a Chinese television presenter who had a child via surrogate in the United States, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday (26).
Beijing never issued an explanation for Qin’s ouster nor said the former minister was under investigation. China’s State Council Information Office did not respond to questions from the CNN about the subject.
Source: CNN Brasil
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