Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu, who has not been seen in public for months, has been removed from the cabinet as part of a major reshuffle in the country’s top leadership.
Li, who became defence minister during a Cabinet reshuffle in March, hasn’t been seen since giving a speech on August 29. No replacement has been named for the post so far.
Former foreign minister Qin Gang was also removed from the Chinese cabinet.
“According to the sixth meeting of the standing committee of the People’s Republic of China’s 14th National People’s Congress, it was decided on October 24, 2023… to remove Li Shangfu from the positions of State Council member and Minister of Defence,” state broadcaster CCTV said as reported by AFP.
Science and technology minister Wang Zhigang and finance minister Liu Kun were also removed from their posts, to be replaced by current Ministry of Science and Technology party secretary Yin Hejun and finance ministry party secretary Lan Fo’an respectively, according to CCTV.
Tuesday’s announcements come after months of speculation about China’s cabinet, after Qin was abruptly removed from office without any explanation in July.
Later that month China announced that former navy commander Wang Houbin would take over as the new head of the Chinese military’s Rocket Force, as media reports emerged of a corruption probe.
(With inputs from AP, AFP)