China’s ruling Communist Party has expelled two former defense ministers on corruption charges, ending speculation over their fate after a spate of purges rocked the defense hierarchy.
The 24-man Politburo made the decision to oust Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe at a meeting on Thursday, according to state television. Both men took bribes, failed to cooperate with investigations and set a bad example, according to the report.
Wei, who "accepted huge sums of money,” served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023 before being replaced by Li, who was abruptly fired in October after just seven months in the job — becoming the nation’s shortest-serving defense minister.