Allegedly Receiving Bribery And Langgar Discipline, Chinese Communist Party Fires Former Defense Minister Li Shangfu

Li Shangfu. (Twitter/@IISS_org)

JAKARTA - The leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) on Thursday decided to fire former defense minister Li Shangfu for serious violations of Party and legal discipline.

Li, who previously also served as a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a member of the state council, has his qualification removed as a delegation of the 20th CPC National Congress, according to a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The CMC's disciplinary and supervisory agency launched an investigation into Li on August 31, 2023.

"According to the results of the investigation, Li seriously violated political discipline and organization. He sought inappropriate benefits in regulating personnel for himself and others, taking advantage of his position to seek profit for others, and receiving large amounts of money and valuables in return. He is suspected of committing a crime of accepting bribes," Xinhua reported as quoted on June 27.

Furthermore, Li was also proven to have offered money to other people for improper profits, which is an alleged criminal act of giving bribes.

The investigation also found clues of other violations committed by Li.

"As a top official of the Party and military, Li betrayed the initial aspirations of the Party and its principles. His actions have disappointed the trust of the Central Committee of the Party and the CMC, and deeply pollute the political environment of the equipment sector in the military and related industrial ethics," Xinhua reported.

He explained that the disciplinary and legal violations he committed had brought major damage to the goals of the Party, national defense development and the armed forces, as well as the image of senior officials.

Li's abuses were very serious, with a very detrimental impact and tremendous losses, according to the investigation's findings.

The Political Bureau also decided to delegate Li's alleged criminal case to the military prosecutor's office for examination and prosecution.

Next month, the Central CPC Committee in the CPC plenary session will consolidate disciplinary action to remove Li from the party.

Previously, the CMC had fired Li from military service and revoked his rank of general.

Li is known to have served as minister of defense from March 12, 2023 to October 24, 2023. Li, who started her military career in 1982, was later replaced by Admiral Dong Jun who was sworn in at the end of December last year.