Li Shangfu was last seen in public on August 29 at the China-African Security Forum.
Another top official in China has disappeared from public view, reviving speculation about a possible corruption purge. The Wall Street Journal reported that Defense Minister Li Shangfu was taken away by authorities for questioning last week.
Here are 5 points about Li Shangfu:
He was appointed to China’s top post in March this year. CNN reported that Mr. Li continues to be listed as defense minister, state councilor and member of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) on Chinese government and military websites.
Before his promotion, Li Shangfu served as head of the CMC’s Equipment Development Department for five years from 2017, responsible for weapons procurement. He was imposed sanctions by the US in 2018 after China bought Russian weapons, the CNN report further said.
Mr Li’s last public appearance was on August 29, when he delivered a keynote speech at the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing.
The BBC said Li Shangfu is an aerospace engineer and started his career at a satellite and rocket launch center.
After serving for 31 years, he became a member of the CMC at the 20th Communist Party Congress in November 2022. South China Morning Mail (SCMP).
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