China Sentences Former Defence Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to Suspended Death

Two former Chinese defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, have been handed suspended death sentences on corruption charges, according to state media reports.

A military court issued the sentences on Thursday, specifying a two-year reprieve. This mechanism typically converts death sentences to life imprisonment after two years, without eligibility for sentence reduction or parole.

Both men were convicted of bribery, leading to the confiscation of all their personal assets. Wei Fenghe served as defence minister from 2018 to March 2023, when he was succeeded by Li Shangfu.

Li Shangfu's tenure was notably brief, ending with his dismissal in October 2023, just two months after his public disappearance prompted widespread speculation. This announcement follows the removal of several high-ranking military officials as part of a pervasive anti-corruption drive.

President Xi Jinping has previously referenced this military crackdown, stating in February that the army had "undergone revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption." Since assuming power, President Xi's anti-corruption campaigns have faced criticism for allegedly serving as a means to purge political rivals.