Li Shangfu: Chinese defence minister sacked

 Yes, China has officially sacked its defense minister Li Shangfu, two months after he disappeared from public life. The sacking was announced on October 24, 2023, by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

Shangfu had not been seen in public since early September, and there was no official explanation for his absence. However, there were rumors that he was under investigation for corruption or for his role in the country's military modernization program.

Shangfu's sacking is a significant development, as it is the first time that a Chinese defense minister has been removed from office since the 1980s. It is also a sign that Chinese President Xi Jinping is cracking down on corruption and inefficiency within the military.

The sacking of Shangfu comes at a time when China is facing a number of challenges, including a slowing economy, tensions with the United States, and a growing rivalry with India. It is unclear who will replace Shangfu as defense minister, or how his sacking will impact China's military policy.

However, it is clear that Xi is determined to maintain control over the military and to ensure that it is loyal to him. The sacking of Shangfu is a warning to other military officials who may be seen as disloyal or incompetent.

No explanation has been given for his removal, nor has a replacement been announced for his job.

His sacking follows recent axings of several top military officials, including Qin Gang - who was removed as foreign minister in July. Mr Qin and Mr Li were also removed from their positions on the State Council, the country's ministry, on Tuesday. China's top legislators, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, approved the removal of both men, state broadcaster CCTV reported. • Top US envoy questions China defence minister's absence His dismissal leaves China without a defence minister as it prepares to host foreign defence officials in Beijing this week. Reuters reported last month that he was under investigation for suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development. He was last seen in public on 29 August, at a Beijing security forum with African nations. He had only been in the post since March.

An aerospace engineer who began his career at a satellite and rocket launch centre, Gen Li has had a smooth ascent through the ranks of the military and Chinese political elite. In 2018, when he headed the equipment development arm of the military, he was sanctioned by the US government over China's purchases of Russian combat aircraft and arms.

The sanctions were thought to be a sticking point for Gen Li, who refused to meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin at a Singapore defence summit earlier this year. He was said to be a favourite of President Xi Jinping, just like Mr Qin, who has now been stripped of his last government title.

In July, Mr Qin was removed as China's foreign minister just seven months into the job. No reason was given for Mr Qin's removal either but the Wall Street Journal cited sources saying he had an extramarital affair while in his post as ambassador to the United States. Soon after, two leaders of an elite unit managing its nuclear arsenal were replaced, triggering speculation of a purge.

General Li Yuchao who headed the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Rocket Force unit and his deputy had "disappeared" for months before their dismissals were announced.