China Hands Suspended Death Sentences to Former Defence Ministers in Major Military Corruption Crackdown

China has sentenced two former defence ministers to suspended death penalties after they were found guilty of corruption in one of the country’s most high-profile military anti-graft cases in recent years.

State media reported on Thursday that former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were each handed death sentences with a two-year reprieve by a military court. Under Chinese law, such sentences are typically commuted to life imprisonment after two years, although the court ruled that neither man would be eligible for sentence reductions or parole.

Authorities also ordered the confiscation of all personal assets belonging to the two former military leaders, underscoring the severity of the punishment in a case that has shaken the upper ranks of China’s armed forces.

The convictions come amid an expanding anti-corruption campaign targeting senior figures within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as President Xi Jinping intensifies efforts to tighten discipline and loyalty within the military establishment.

Wei Fenghe served as China’s defence minister from 2018 until 2023, playing a prominent role in Beijing’s increasingly assertive military diplomacy during a period of heightened tensions with the United States and regional neighbours. He was replaced by Li Shangfu in March 2023.

Li’s tenure, however, was abruptly cut short after he disappeared from public view only months after assuming office. His unexplained absence fuelled widespread speculation before he was formally removed as defence minister in October 2023.

According to previous reports cited by Chinese state news agency Xinhua, investigations found that Li accepted “huge sums of money” in bribes and also offered bribes to others. Authorities accused him of abusing his position for personal gain and failing to fulfil his political responsibilities.

Investigators reportedly reached similar conclusions in the case against Wei, alleging that he accepted large amounts of money and valuables while helping individuals secure improper advantages in military personnel appointments.

The back-to-back downfall of two former defence ministers has intensified concerns about corruption inside China’s military leadership, particularly within procurement and promotion systems that have long faced allegations of bribery and political patronage.

The crackdown has already led to the removal of several senior military figures, including high-ranking officers linked to China’s Rocket Force, the branch responsible for overseeing the country’s nuclear and missile arsenal. The anti-graft drive also recently saw the dismissal of top military official Zhang Youxia, signalling that even the most senior commanders are not beyond scrutiny.

President Xi Jinping addressed the issue publicly in February, stating that the military had undergone “revolutionary tempering in the fight against corruption.”

Since taking power in 2012, Xi has launched sweeping anti-corruption campaigns across the Communist Party, government institutions and the military. Chinese authorities say the campaigns are necessary to eliminate corruption and strengthen governance.