Former defense ministers of China Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were given death sentences with a two-year reprieve after being convicted on corruption charges.
The ruling marks one of the harshest punishments in President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted senior military and government officials since he came to power in 2012.
Chinese authorities accused both men of abusing their positions and accepting large bribes while serving in senior military roles. Under Chinese law, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve is usually reduced to life imprisonment if the offender commits no further crimes during that period.
Chinese state media, Xinhua, said both former ministers would remain imprisoned for life after the commutation, with no chance of parole or additional sentence reductions.
Corruption crackdown expands inside the military
The cases are part of a wider purge inside China’s armed forces as Beijing continues efforts to remove corruption and strengthen political control over the military.
The crackdown intensified in 2023 when investigations reached the elite People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, the branch responsible for China’s nuclear weapons and conventional missile systems. Several senior officers linked to the force were removed or investigated.
China sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve over corruption charges, according to state media.
The case marks one of the harshest punishments in Xi Jinping’s military anti-corruption campaign. pic.twitter.com/14ydcibngw
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) May 7, 2026
Previous reports said Li Shangfu was accused of taking “huge sums of money” in bribes and offering bribes to others. Investigators also claimed he failed to carry out political responsibilities and used his position to secure benefits for himself and associates.
Authorities launched an investigation into Wei Fenghe in 2023. Xinhua later reported that investigators found he had accepted large amounts of money and valuables as bribes. Officials also accused him of helping others gain unfair advantages in military personnel appointments.
Chinese authorities described the actions of both men as “extremely serious” and said the cases caused major damage to the military and the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
Analysts warn of military leadership gaps
The investigations have raised concerns about stability within China’s military leadership as the country rapidly modernizes its armed forces.
Analysts say repeated removals of senior officers could disrupt decision-making, weaken command structures, and affect military readiness. The leadership shake-ups have also fueled questions about internal discipline within the military.
Earlier this year, the International Institute for Strategic Studies warned that the ongoing corruption purges were creating serious gaps in China’s military command system.
The institute said the investigations and dismissals of senior officers could undermine the preparedness of China’s expanding military during a period of growing regional and global tensions.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
