Two former Chinese Defence Ministers receive suspended death sentences on corruption charges

A Chinese military court has sentenced two former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death with a two-year reprieve on bribery charges, state media reported on Thursday.
The suspended death sentences mean the men’s punishments will automatically be commuted to life imprisonment after two years, with no possibility of sentence reduction or parole. The court also ordered the confiscation of all their personal assets.
Wei Fenghe served as defence minister from 2018 to 2023, while Li Shangfu held the position briefly from March to October 2023 before being abruptly removed from office. Both were found guilty of accepting large bribes and using their positions to secure improper benefits for others, including in personnel appointments.
Li Shangfu disappeared from public view in August 2023, triggering widespread speculation about his fate. He was formally dismissed two months later. Investigations revealed he had received “huge sums of money” in bribes and had failed to fulfil his political responsibilities, according to earlier state media reports.
Wei Fenghe faced similar accusations of accepting substantial bribes and valuables.
The sentencing is the latest development in President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army. The crackdown has led to the removal of several high-ranking military officials in recent years, including the recent ousting of top military figures.
In February, Xi publicly described the military’s anti-corruption efforts as “revolutionary tempering,” signalling strong backing for the ongoing purge.
While the Chinese government presents the campaign as essential for cleaning up the armed forces, critics argue it also serves as a tool for Xi to consolidate power and eliminate potential political rivals.
The case underscores continued instability at the highest levels of China’s military leadership despite years of Xi’s efforts to strengthen party control over the armed forces.