China has sentenced two former defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption charges. Their sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment if they commit no further crimes, and their assets have been confiscated.
Military Court Sentences Top Officials
A Chinese military court has sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption charges, state media Xinhua reported on Thursday. The sentences, which will be commuted to life imprisonment if no further crimes are committed, follow a broader anti-corruption crackdown in China's military. Both men were expelled from the ruling Communist Party in 2024 for "serious violations of discipline," a euphemism for corruption.
Key Figures in Military Shake-up
Wei, who served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023, was replaced by Li in March 2023. Li, a key figure in China's military modernization and space program, was dismissed in October 2023 after disappearing from public view for two months. Investigations found that both men accepted bribes and abused their positions for personal gain. Their personal assets have been confiscated, and they will serve life sentences without parole if their reprieve holds.
Xi Jinping's Anti-Corruption Drive Continues
The sentences underscore President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted high-ranking military officials, including Zhang Youxia, a top general and Politburo member. Critics argue the purges have weakened military readiness, while supporters see them as necessary reforms.