In a recent development, China’s National Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, has gone missing for several weeks and is now under investigation for corruption, marking another instance in a series of high-profile government officials being removed from their positions. This trend of anti-corruption purges is not new for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has made combating corruption, particularly within the military, a central focus of his leadership. However, it raises questions about the persistence of misconduct at the highest levels of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its potential impact on Xi’s efforts to modernize the military.
Li’s tenure as defense minister was brief, as he assumed the role in March of this year before disappearing from public view shortly after. Two officials from the PLA’s Rocket Force also experienced replacements in July. The opaque nature of China’s political landscape has intensified under President Xi, with the government remaining tight-lipped about these disappearances and dismissals, leading to widespread speculation and rumors both domestically and internationally.
While serving as defense minister, Li was primarily involved in diplomatic matters and communication with foreign counterparts. However, he notably refused to answer phone calls from U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following a diplomatic incident involving Chinese balloons drifting into U.S. territory in February.
Prior to his role as defense minister, Li led the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission, responsible for overseeing equipment and infrastructure procurement across various military branches. In July, Bloomberg reported that Li’s former department was under investigation for corruption issues dating back to 2017, raising questions about potential connections between his tenure and the ongoing investigations.
Corruption has long plagued the PLA, particularly in the realms of contracts procurement and promotions. The prevailing culture of corruption has made it challenging for high-level military appointments to be untainted, leaving Xi with a cadre of officials who, while the most acceptable, may still have ties to corruption.
In July, Rocket Force Commander Li Yuchao and his deputies Liu Guangbin and Zhang Zhenzhong were reportedly placed under investigation by the Central Military Commission’s anti-corruption unit. Li Shangfu’s recent questioning follows a similar pattern. If he were also to be removed from his role within the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission, he would be the first to face such consequences since Fang Fenghui was sentenced to life in prison for corruption in 2019.
While Xi Jinping’s recent actions against corruption have garnered attention, it is essential to note that this has been a consistent focus of his leadership. The abrupt removal of officials like Li and Qin Gang, who disappeared for weeks before being sacked, raises questions about the vetting process for high-ranking appointments.
Without official charges filed against Li and other officers, the international community may never receive a full explanation of these developments. President Xi’s public commitment to achieving a “modern military” by 2027 faces potential challenges if corruption allegations within the Equipment Development Department and Rocket Force hold true, as corruption has historically hindered military capabilities.
Xi’s goal of maintaining complete Party control over the military may face practical challenges if corruption remains entrenched within the PLA. While younger officers may view corruption as less acceptable than previous generations, eradicating this deeply rooted culture poses significant difficulties. As investigations continue, more arrests and dismissals may occur, but the full extent of the underlying issues may remain elusive.