China has officially relieved its former defence minister, Li Shangfu, of his duties, two months after he disappeared from public view.
The Chinese government has not provided an explanation for his removal, and no successor has been announced.
This decision follows a series of dismissals of high-ranking military officials, including Qin Gang, who was removed as foreign minister in July. Qin Gang and Li Shangfu were also removed from their positions on the State Council.
These changes in leadership occurred as China is preparing to host foreign defense officials in Beijing.
Reuters reported in the previous month that Li Shangfu was under investigation for suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development.
He was last seen in public in late August at a security forum in Beijing with African nations. Li, who began his career as an aerospace engineer and had a steady rise through the ranks of the military and Chinese political elite, had served as China’s defence minister since March.
In 2018, the U.S. government sanctioned Li Shangfu over China’s purchases of Russian combat aircraft and arms when he led the military’s equipment development division. His removal leaves China without a defence minister.