The U.S. government has reportedly concluded that China’s Defence Minister, Li Shangfu, is under investigation by Beijing and has been relieved of his duties. This information was revealed by American officials to the Financial Times. The report comes after Mr. Li has been missing for three weeks, leading to speculation that he may have been placed under house arrest. This follows the mysterious disappearance and removal of other Chinese officials in recent months, indicating potential turmoil within the Chinese government.
The U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, took to social media to comment on Mr. Li’s absence, stating that he hasn’t been seen or heard from in three weeks. He further suggested that the minister might be under house arrest. These comments have fueled speculation and discussions about the situation in Beijing.
The situation in Beijing has been the subject of increasing scrutiny due to a series of disappearances and oustings of high-ranking officials. In July, Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang disappeared and was ousted from his position. This was followed by the replacement of the leadership of China’s Rocket Force, the army unit responsible for overseeing its nuclear arsenal. The former commander of the Rocket Force, Li Yuchao, was also not seen in public for weeks before being removed from his position.
The U.S. officials who provided information about Li Shangfu’s investigation did not disclose the details that led them to this conclusion. The White House has not publicly addressed the matter, leaving room for speculation and uncertainty. Li Shangfu’s last known public appearance was in August when he traveled to Russia to attend a security conference. He also met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus. It is worth noting that Li Shangfu has refused to hold meetings with U.S. counterparts until Washington lifts sanctions imposed on him in 2018 for his procurement of Russian military technology.
The remarks made by Ambassador Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff, have further escalated tensions between the U.S. and China. The comments come at a time of heightened trade and geopolitical tensions between the two countries. The U.S. government’s belief that Li Shangfu is under investigation by Beijing adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the two global powers.
