LAHORE (Agencies) -Two former Chinese defence ministers have been given suspended death sentences on corruption charges, in a dramatic development reflecting Beijing’s ongoing anti-corruption drive.
According to state media, a military court sentenced Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve. Under Chinese law, such sentences are typically commuted to life imprisonment after the reprieve period, without the possibility of parole or sentence reduction.
Both officials were convicted of accepting large-scale bribes, with authorities ordering the confiscation of all personal assets linked to the cases.
Wei Fenghe served as China’s defence minister from 2018 to 2023, before being succeeded by Li Shangfu in March 2023. However, Li’s tenure proved short-lived, as he was removed from office in October the same year following a sudden disappearance from public view that had fuelled widespread speculation.
Investigations found that Li had allegedly accepted substantial bribes and facilitated illicit benefits for others, while also failing to uphold his official responsibilities. Similarly, Wei was accused of taking significant sums of money and valuables in exchange for influencing personnel decisions and granting improper advantages.
The sentencing comes amid a broader purge within China’s military establishment, where several senior figures have been removed or investigated as part of an intensified anti-graft campaign.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasised the importance of eliminating corruption within the armed forces, describing the effort as a critical step in strengthening discipline and loyalty.
While the government presents the campaign as a necessary reform to ensure transparency and integrity, critics argue that such crackdowns may also serve to consolidate political control and sideline potential rivals.
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