After Qin Gang, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who hasn't appeared in public since July and was replaced without explanation, Beijing has lost another leader: Li Shangfu, Minister of Defense. Far be it from us to imagine an obscure exit for these two eminent politicians, but all the same.

The general was last seen at the end of August, but then missed two major diplomatic appointments, first for "health reasons" and then for "house arrest".Our Financial Times colleagues report that the man was under investigation. The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, revealed that after his arrest, he had been dismissed from his post. Li Shangfu, like Qin Gang, was one of China's five State Councillors, a higher position than that of Minister.

A whirlwind career

Beijing appointed Li Shangfu Minister of Defense last March. Li has been subject to US sanctions since 2018 over the purchase of fighter jets from Russia's leading arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

Amandine

By Amandine Victor