As diplomatic temperatures between the U.S. and China continue to simmer, the focus has now sharply turned to Defense Minister Li Shangfu of China. Under intense scrutiny and amidst hushed whispers, the official narrative is being questioned by high-ranking insiders from the U.S.
These revelations have cast long shadows over Beijing’s corridors of power, hinting at the increasing instability and disorder within China’s top military and foreign policy echelons.
The Mysterious Disappearance
Li Shangfu’s conspicuous absence from the public eye over the last fortnight has set alarm bells ringing. Authorities from the U.S. are piecing together evidence that suggests Li has been relieved of his defense ministerial duties. This isn’t an isolated event.
A mere two months prior, China’s president Xi Jinping had orchestrated the removal of two chief generals from the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. This command unit has the critical responsibility of managing China’s burgeoning cache of long-range missiles and potent nuclear arms.
However, Li’s case bears a chilling resemblance to another significant episode. The sudden vanishing of Qin Gang from his role as the Chinese foreign minister in July still remains an unsolved puzzle.
The White House remains tight-lipped on the issue, while the Chinese embassy in the U.S. steers clear of commenting. But one fact remains undisputed: high-ranking officials in China are disappearing, and there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Unraveling the Web
Previously, Li’s abrupt withdrawal from a meeting with Vietnamese officials was attributed to health concerns. History seems to be repeating itself, as similar health-related reasons had been floated during Qin’s unanticipated retreat from official events.
Recall 2018, when the Trump administration slapped sanctions on Li. This decision was linked to China’s acquisition of Russian armaments under Li’s supervision at the PLA’s central weapons procurement and development sector.
It’s evident that since then, the relationship between Li and the U.S. has been walking on thin ice. In fact, China took a stern stance, declining any meeting prospects between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Li, as long as sanctions persisted. This deadlock only added fuel to the already blazing U.S.-China military relations.
Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, took to X (previously Twitter) with a cryptic comparison. He likened China’s current political landscape to Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.”
Pointing to the spate of disappearances of influential figures like Qin Gang, Rocket Force commanders, and now Li Shangfu, he emphasized the perplexing scenario unraveling in Beijing.
Lingering Doubts
Xi Jinping’s crusade against corruption within the Chinese armed forces now stands on shaky ground. The continuous sidelining of top military officials only punctuates the glaring loopholes in Xi’s selection process for upper-tier personnel.
The removal of the defense minister and other influential figures suggest that corruption is not an outlier but perhaps a systemic issue. Moreover, the PLA’s equipment department, formerly recognized as the general armaments department, is notorious for being a hotbed of corruption.
Bonnie Glaser, an authority on China at the German Marshall Fund, opined that Li’s removal could serve as a potential silver lining, paving the way for more harmonious U.S.-China military dialogues. However, she also highlighted that these events underscore the rampant corruption endemic to the system.
All eyes now remain fixed on China’s next move, with many waiting to see how these allegations and investigations will reshape the already fragile U.S.-China diplomatic landscape.