PONTIANAK NEWS – Two former Chinese defense ministers were sentenced to death by a military court for corruption in the form of bribery.
China’s state news agency, Xinhua News Agency reported that Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were sentenced to death with a suspension of two years. The sentence has the potential to be changed to life imprisonment if both of them show good behavior during the suspension period.
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Apart from that, both of them were deprived of their political rights for life and all their personal property was confiscated by the state. The Chinese government believes that this heavy punishment is expected to have a deterrent effect and show that high-ranking officials can still be prosecuted.
Li Shangfu served as defense minister for seven months in 2023, replacing Wei Fenghe who previously held the position for five years.
Although the position of defense minister in China is considered to have limited authority because military affairs are under the control of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission, both are known to have held strategic positions with access to large budgets and sensitive military equipment.
Li previously served as head of the military equipment procurement department in 2017–2022. Meanwhile, Wei once led the Rocket Force of the People’s Liberation Army, the unit responsible for China’s nuclear arsenal.
Chinese state media said Li was proven to have violated party discipline and state law. He is considered to have misused his position to enrich himself or others, as well as receiving large amounts of money and valuables.
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Before the verdict was handed down, Chinese authorities were also said to be investigating allegations of corruption involving Zhang Youxia, the second-highest military official after President Xi Jinping.
