The former defense minister was said to have committed serious violations of law and order.
BEIJING The four-day plenary session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China ended on Thursday with the publication of communiques. They provided new information about ministers who disappeared from public view last year.
Foreign minister Qin Gang disappeared from public view at the end of June 2023 and the Minister of Defense Li Shangfu two months later.
The Communist Party now announced that former Defense Minister Li and two former commanders of the People’s Army, Generals Li Yuchaon and Sun Jinming, has been expelled from the party.
The dismissal was based on a report made by the armed forces, which revealed serious violations of law and order, the party said.
According to the party, former foreign minister Qin Gang has resigned from the Communist Party Central Committee. A more detailed reason for Qin’s departure was not given.
The ministers were known to be alive and possibly under house arrest, but the details have been shrouded in obscurity. Last month it was reported that Li Shangfu was suspected of corruption.
Last fall, the disappearances started a mill of rumors and speculations in Beijing. For example, Qin’s secret affair with a TV reporter was leaked to the public, but that did not explain his surprising ouster.
What made the disappearances surprising was that both Qin and Li were known leaders of China Xi Jinping as favourites, who rose faster than usual to the top positions in the party.
It is unclear whether their ouster is the result of a power struggle within the country’s ruling party, Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign, or some other reason.