China's Former Defence Ministers Sentenced to Death for Corruption
China sentences two former defence ministers to death for corruption
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
Two former Chinese defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, received death sentences with a two-year reprieve for corruption charges. Their convictions highlight President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has seen over a million officials punished since 2012.
- 01Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption.
- 02Wei was convicted of accepting bribes; Li for both accepting and offering bribes.
- 03Both ministers were expelled from the Communist Party in 2024.
- 04Their cases reflect President Xi Jinping's extensive anti-corruption efforts.
- 05Over a million officials have faced punishment under Xi's campaign since 2012.
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In a significant move, China's military court has sentenced two former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption. Wei was found guilty of accepting bribes, while Li was convicted of both accepting and offering bribes. Both officials were expelled from the ruling Communist Party in 2024 and were part of the Central Military Commission under President Xi Jinping. Wei served as Defence Minister from 2018 to 2023, while Li held the position briefly as his successor. Their leadership roles included heading the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, established in 2015 as part of Xi's military reforms. Following Li's removal, several top officials from the Rocket Force were also charged with corruption. Xi's anti-corruption campaign, initiated in 2012, has led to the punishment of over a million officials, including numerous generals, indicating a broader crackdown on graft within the military and government.
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The sentencing underscores the seriousness of corruption in China's military and government, potentially leading to further purges and reforms.
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