China expelling ex-defence ministers from CCP spurs talk of factional dispute against Xi Jinping
All three leaders, interestingly, were once close confidants of Chinese president Xi Jinping. The developments show a factional dispute may have erupted over Jinping's decade-long leadership, and also highlight significant shifts in the political landscape, particularly concerning some high-ranking officials once seen as close allies of Jinping. The internal conflict and downfall of such prominent figures could indicate deeper issues within the CCP's structure and governance.
According to China's defence ministry, Li Shangfu had abused his authority by taking bribes in exchange for granting favours in violation of military and party discipline. His predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also accused of similar charges.
INDIA TODAY had highlighted the issue in August last year, when the corruption investigation started. Li Shangfu, who first disappeared from public view, was being investigated for corruption in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force. The probe was focused on his involvement in purchase of military equipment. Eight other high-ranking officials from the Chinese military's procurement unit, which Li Shangfu led from 2017 to 2022, were also facing an investigation, conducted by the military's disciplinary inspection commission.
In March 2023, Li Shangfu was handpicked by Jinping as defence minister, despite being under US sanctions since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's leading arms exporter, Rosoboronexport. Li was eventually removed from office in October 2023, after two months of mysterious disappearance.
According to Chinese news agency Xinhua, Wei Fenghe was placed under investigation in September last year and suspected of "seriously violating political and organisational discipline" by helping others gain improper benefits in personnel arrangements. He was found to have accepted a "huge amount of money and valuables in return, constituting the suspected crime of taking bribes," Xinhua said, adding that he had "lost his faith and loyalty and contaminated the political environment of the military, bringing enormous damage to the Party's cause, the development of national defence and the armed forces, as well as the image of senior officials".
Wei Fenghe, also a former commander of the PLA Rocket Force, was investigated along with other key PLA officersâZhang Zhenzhong, Liu Guangbin and Shang Hongâassociated with the force.
The latest announcement from China about Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe coincides with the first anniversary of Qin Gang's disappearance from public eye, with serious questions being raised as to whether he is alive.
Qin Gang was last seen on June 25, 2023. There are also rumours of Qin Gang having an affair with state-owned Phoenix TV's popular host Fu Xiaotian, who is suspected by Chinese authorities of being a 'double agent'. It is suspected that Qing Gang may have been implicated during the investigation.
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