“Searching for China’s Defense Minister: Where has Li Shangfu gone?”
Mystery hovers in China as Li Shangfu, the country’s defense minister, has not been seen in public for more than two weeks. This disappearance follows those of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and influential generals of the Chinese army, which fuels speculation as to the reasons for these absences.
According to the Financial Times, Li Shangfu was removed from his post for reasons of corruption. The Chinese authorities did not comment on this question, simply indicating that the minister had canceled a trip for health reasons. However, anonymous sources in the United States claim that Li Shangfu was the target of a corruption investigation, which may have led to his hasty departure.
These events are part of the anti-corruption policy led by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi Jinping has made the fight against corruption a top priority, particularly within the Chinese military. Recent departures of high-level officials, including that of Li Shangfu, show that no one is safe from this campaign.
Li Shangfu was considered close to Xi Jinping, which makes his disappearance even more surprising. Some say the case could be a sign of intense political battles within the Chinese government.
Corruption within the Chinese military has long been a concern. With the country’s economic opening in the 1980s, the military developed a reputation for endemic corruption, with powerful generals taking advantage of their influence to monetize favors.
In his fight against corruption, Xi Jinping seeks to eliminate these practices and restore integrity within the military. However, the method used in this cleanup, notably the silence surrounding the departures of those responsible, and in particular that of Li Shangfu, raises questions.
Whatever the reason for Li Shangfu’s disappearance, one thing is clear: China’s fight against corruption is far from over. Xi Jinping’s determination to eradicate this scourge is undeniable, but there is still a way to go. In the meantime, China is eagerly awaiting answers about the fate of its missing defense minister.