Former Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu has been expelled from the ruling Communist Party (CCP), months after his abrupt removal from office. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday that Li was removed over allegations of corruption and bribery, which were under investigation.
The general was ousted from his positions as defense minister and state councillor last October without any explanation. Prior to his removal, he had disappeared from public view for about two months amid a corruption crackdown by the Xi Jinping government.
Xinhua stated that the CCP leadership decided on Li’s expulsion due to his “serious violation of Party discipline and the law,” as determined by China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) through a probe that began in August.
According to the investigation, Li seriously violated political and organizational discipline. He sought improper benefits in personnel arrangements for himself and others, took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others, and accepted a substantial amount of money and valuables in return. He is suspected of the crime of taking bribes.
Additionally, Li was found to have offered money to others to seek undue benefits, constituting the suspected crime of offering bribes. His actions were said to contravene the party’s “original aspiration and principles” and hinder the growth of the nation’s powerful military.
