China has handed suspended death sentences to two former defense ministers as President Xi Jinping continues a sweeping anti-corruption purge within the country’s military leadership.
According to Chinese state media, former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were convicted of bribery by a military court on Thursday. Both men received death sentences with a two-year reprieve, which will later be reduced to life imprisonment without parole.
#BREAKING China gives suspended death sentences to former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu on graft charges: State media pic.twitter.com/OAEDgGrZEt
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 7, 2026
The report said Wei served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023, while Li briefly held the role in 2023 before coming under investigation. Both were targeted during an expanding anti-graft crackdown inside the People’s Liberation Army.
According to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, dozens of senior military officers have been removed or investigated since 2022. Analysts said the purge reflects Xi’s effort to tighten political control and modernize China’s military.
However, the scale of the crackdown has also raised concerns about military stability and operational readiness.
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TIPP Staff
