US Envoy Questions China Defence Minister’s Absence



A top US diplomat has questioned the absence of China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu, renewing speculation of a possible corruption purge.

General Li has not been seen in public for about two weeks and has reportedly missed several meetings.

US envoy to Japan, Rahm Emanuel   speculated on Mr Li’s absence, tweeting that the “unemployment rate” in the Chinese Government was very high.

Mr Li’s absence follows recent axings of several top military officials.

Citing sources in the US and China, The Wall Street Journal  reported on Friday that Mr Li is being removed from his post.

It also comes months after Foreign Minister Quin Gang disappeared from public view. Mr Qin’s sudden absence and replacement in July has still not been fully explained.

In Gen Li’s case too, the Chinese Government has not said much. When asked about it earlier this week, a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman had reportedly said she was “not aware of the situation”.

Gen Li’s last public appearance was three weeks ago on 29 August  in Beijing at a Security Forum with African Nations. It is not unusual for Defence Ministers to be absent from the public view for a few weeks.

An aerospace engineer who began his career at a satellite and rocket launch centre, Gen Li has had a smooth ascent through the ranks of the military and Chinese political elite.

Just like Mr Qin, he is said to be a favourite of President Xi Jinping. He is also the second cabinet Minister and State Councillor, after Mr Qin, to have gone missing in recent months.

“High-level disappearances and possible corruption investigations are not a good look for Xi because he approved the selection of the current leadership,” says Neil Thomas of Asia Society Policy Institute.

“However, Xi’s leadership and overall political stability do not appear under threat, as none of the cadres affected are part of his inner circle.”

BBC