Suspended Death Sentences for Former Defence Ministers
Two former Chinese defence ministers have been sentenced to suspended death sentences on charges of corruption, according to reports from state media.
On Thursday, a military court handed Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu death sentences with a two-year reprieve. This sentencing means that after two years, their death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of sentence reduction or parole, as reported by Xinhua.
Both Wei and Li were found guilty of bribery, and all their personal assets have been confiscated.
Context of Military Anti-Corruption Crackdown
This announcement comes amid a broad anti-corruption campaign that has led to the removal of several senior military officials in China.
Wei Fenghe served as defence minister from 2018 until 2023, when Li Shangfu succeeded him in March 2023.
Li's time as defence minister was notably brief. He was dismissed in October 2023, just two months after his sudden disappearance from public view, which had sparked speculation about his removal.
President Xi Jinping's Role and Remarks
In February, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly addressed the military's anti-corruption efforts, which also included the dismissal of the country's top military general, Zhang Youxia.
Xi said at the time that the army had "undergone revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption".
Since assuming power, President Xi has initiated multiple waves of anti-corruption campaigns. Critics argue these efforts have also been used to eliminate political rivals.
