China Removes General Shangfu As Defence Minister

China has removed General Li Shangfu as  Defence Minister on Tuesday, the second ousting of a senior leader in three months, raising questions about the stability of the leadership team around Chinese President Xi Jinping.

General Shangfu who has been absent from public view for two months, was dismissed as Defence Minister and State councillor, according to State media.

China also announced that Qin Gang, who was removed as Foreign Minister in July, was stripped of his state councillor position.

China’s top legislators, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, approved the removal of both men, State broadcaster CCTV reported, without giving any explanation.

No replacement for Li was named, leaving the country without a Defence Minister as it prepares to host Foreign Defence officials at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on October 29-31.

REUTERS