China’s Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, who has been absent from public appearances for over two weeks, is now the subject of an investigation by Chinese authorities, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The investigation centers around the procurement of military equipment, as reported by a regional security official and three individuals with direct links to the Chinese military. Specific details regarding the equipment purchases under scrutiny remain undisclosed.
Furthermore, eight high-ranking officials from the Chinese military’s procurement unit, which Li headed from 2017 to 2022, are also under investigation, according to two sources directly connected to the military.
This investigation into Li, who assumed the role of defense minister in March, is being conducted by the military’s influential disciplinary inspection commission, according to these sources.
In-depth analysis of the allegations against Li and the timing of the probe is based on insights from sources who regularly engage with senior Chinese political and defense figures, as well as regional insiders well-versed in Chinese politics.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Friday that they were not aware of the situation. Requests for comments from the State Council and the Defense Ministry went unanswered, and Li could not be reached immediately.
On Friday, the Financial Times reported, citing U.S. officials, that the U.S. government believed Li was under investigation. The Wall Street Journal, quoting a source close to decision-makers in Beijing, noted that he had been taken away for questioning the previous week.
The U.S. State Department had not responded to requests for comment regarding media reports suggesting that U.S. intelligence officials believed Li was under investigation for corruption.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel raised questions on X (formerly Twitter) about whether Li was under house arrest. The U.S. embassy in Tokyo did not provide immediate additional comments.
Li’s last public appearance was on August 29 in Beijing when he delivered a keynote speech at a security forum with African nations. Earlier that month, he also visited Russia and Belarus.
The probe into the minister began shortly after his return from that trip, according to a source directly connected to the military and two foreign security officials briefed on the case.
By September 3, his ministry had canceled his planned visit to Vietnam for an annual defense meeting scheduled for September 7-8, citing a “health condition,” according to Vietnamese officials.
Li’s absence from the Vietnam meeting and his discussions with a senior Singaporean military official in China during the same week raised concerns among regional diplomats and social media users about his whereabouts.
This investigation into Li follows China’s unexplained replacement of Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July after an extended absence from public view, as well as a reshuffling of leadership within the People’s Liberation Army’s elite Rocket Force, responsible for conventional and nuclear missiles. Initially, Chinese officials cited health reasons for Qin’s absence.
These developments have prompted questions from observers and diplomats about the sudden leadership changes in China at a time when the country’s economy grapples with post-pandemic closures, and its relations with the United States face growing challenges across various fronts.
Both Li and Qin were perceived as President Xi Jinping’s chosen figures in Chinese politics, making their departure from their roles in less than a year particularly noteworthy. These two individuals held prominent public-facing positions and were among China’s five state councillors, a position that outranks regular ministers.
