Chinese Military Court Sentences Former Defense Ministers to Death with Reprieve
Two former defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, have been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery, marking a significant escalation in China's military anti-corruption campaign.
The sentences were announced on Thursday, as reported by state media. Both men were stripped of political rights for life, and their personal property was confiscated.
Under Chinese law, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve is typically commuted to life imprisonment if no further crimes are committed. The court stated that after commutation, no further commutation or parole will be allowed.
Key Details of the Sentences
- Wei Fenghe, aged 72, was convicted of accepting bribes. He served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023.
- Li Shangfu, aged 68, was convicted of accepting and offering bribes. He served as defense minister for seven months in 2023 before disappearing from public view and being removed from office in October 2023.
Background and Careers
Wei Fenghe previously led the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, which is responsible for China's nuclear arsenal.
Li Shangfu previously headed the military equipment procurement department from 2017 to 2022. He faced U.S. sanctions related to purchasing Russian military hardware.
Both were expelled from the Communist Party in 2024. They were previously members of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the body that oversees the military and is headed by President Xi Jinping.
Broader Anti-Corruption Campaign
The sentencing is part of a wider anti-corruption campaign targeting the PLA under President Xi Jinping, which began in 2012.
According to a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies:
- 36 generals and lieutenant generals have been officially purged since 2022
- 65 others have reportedly been missing or potentially purged
- 52% of top PLA leadership positions have been affected
The purges escalated in 2024 with the removal of Zhang Youxia, a senior general who oversaw military operations.
The CMC, which previously had 11 members, now has only one member besides Xi Jinping.
Li Shangfu's replacement as defense minister, Dong Jun, continues in that role but was not appointed to the CMC.
An editorial in the official PLA Daily newspaper stated that investigations into the two former defense ministers will "remove toxic influences" within the PLA and aid military modernization. Chinese state media reported that Li was found guilty of "serious violation of Party discipline and the law," including seeking improper benefits and accepting bribes.