In addition to losing his post as defense minister, Li Shangfu was removed as a member of the Central Military Commission headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to China’s Central Television CCTV.
The media reported on his mysterious disappearance from public in mid-September, insisting that he did not show up for a scheduled trip to Vietnam and his planned meeting with Singapore’s navy chief.
Li Shangfu is the second major Chinese official to mysteriously disappear from public view recently. In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who disappeared from public view a month before his impeachment, was sacked under similar circumstances.
The mysterious disappearance of a Chinese politician
Li Shangfu is under US sanctions. He was investigated in a case of alleged corruption while purchasing equipment for the army. He was due to be questioned by Chinese authorities in September, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
He was appointed as the Defense Minister in March this year.
Source: CNN.com
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