China’s Communist Party has expelled two consecutive former Defence Ministers on corruption charges. The Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) reviewed and approved reports on Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, deciding to expel both from the Party and terminate their status as delegates to the 20th National Congress of the CPC.
Li Shangfu, who served as Defence Minister from March to October 2023, was accused of severely violating political and organizational discipline, including resisting organizational investigation, abusing his position for personal gain, and taking huge bribes. He was also suspected of offering bribes to others for illegitimate benefits.
Wei Fenghe, Li’s predecessor who held the position from 2018 to 2023, faced similar accusations. The report on Wei was particularly severe, stating that his “faith had collapsed and loyalty had shifted,” an extremely rare and harsh criticism in CPC parlance.
Both Li and Wei have been stripped of their military ranks – Li as a General of the Army and Wei as a General of the Rocket Force. Wei’s former positions, including Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA and Commander of the Rocket Force, were particularly sensitive, given their strategic importance.
Expulsion from the Party is the most severe intra-party disciplinary action in China. These high-profile expulsions came after the People’s Liberation Army Daily published an editorial stating that the anti-corruption fight has entered “deep waters.”
On June 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to further improve the comprehensive and strict Party governance system during the 15th group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
This move underscores Xi Jinping’s continued crackdown on corruption within the Party, a hallmark of his tenure aimed at consolidating his power and maintaining the Party’s image of integrity. The expulsions of such high-ranking officials highlight the seriousness with which the CPC is addressing corruption at all levels, even among the most senior ranks of the military.
