Two Former Chinese Defense Ministers Receive Suspended Death Sentences for Corruption
In a significant development in China’s military, two former defense ministers have been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve due to corruption charges. This is among the strictest penalties imposed on high-ranking military officials in recent years.
Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, both generals, were sentenced on May 7 after being found guilty by a military court, as reported by state media. This verdict highlights President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the armed forces.
As stated by the official Xinhua News Agency, Wei was found guilty of taking bribes, while Li was convicted of both accepting and offering bribes. In addition to their sentences, both men also face a lifetime ban from political rights and must surrender all personal properties.
According to Chinese law, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve generally gets reduced to life imprisonment if the individual does not commit any further crimes during the suspension. In this case, they will serve life sentences without the possibility of parole once the reprieve ends.
Wei Fenghe, 72, was China’s defense minister from 2018 to 2023, and Li Shangfu, 68, took on the role for a shorter period. Both had been influential members of the Central Military Commission, a key body in China’s military leadership.
These convictions send a strong message regarding Xi’s relentless campaign to eliminate corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Notably, investigations have also extended to the Rocket Force, a vital branch overseeing China’s nuclear arsenal and missile systems.
The crackdown intensified in 2023 and led to the expulsion of both Wei and Li from the Communist Party in June of the same year. Security expert James Char remarked that these sentences reflect the severity of their offenses.
Some analysts have expressed concerns that these anti-corruption measures could disrupt China’s military command structure and affect the overall readiness of its rapidly advancing armed forces.
