A Chinese military court has handed down suspended death sentences to two former heads of China’s Ministry of National Defense, Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe. Both officials were found guilty of bribery and corruption. The sentences include a two-year reprieve, after which the sentence is usually commuted to life imprisonment without the right to review or parole.
According to the court ruling, all personal property of the former ministers is subject to confiscation. Wei Fenghe headed the defense ministry from 2018 to 2023, after which the post was taken over by Li Shangfu. The latter was in the minister’s chair for only a few months and suddenly disappeared from the public space in the fall of 2023, shortly after an official visit to Russia and a meeting with Vladimir Putin.
According to international media, the reason for the investigation into Li Shangfu was violations during the procurement of military equipment. Before being appointed minister, he headed the Department of Troop Training and Supply of the Central Military Council of the PRC. In addition, the official was under US sanctions due to his participation in the purchase of Russian Su-35 fighters and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.
These court decisions were part of a broader campaign to combat corruption in the country’s armed forces. Previously, there were reports of large-scale personnel purges among the generals aimed at eliminating disloyal and corrupt officers. Other high-ranking military officials, including representatives of the Strategic Support Forces, have also been targeted by law enforcement agencies.
The severity of the sentences for former defense sector leaders underscores Beijing’s determination to purge the military establishment. This practice is a signal to the entire Chinese state apparatus that punishment for economic crimes at the highest level is inevitable.
