China's defense minister not seen for two weeks

Rumors swirl over allegations of misconduct

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 4: He has not been heard of for two weeks. (The Straits Times via Reuters)

Nikkei staff writers

September 12, 2023 16:02 JST

BEIJING/WASHINGTON -- There has been no sign of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu in public for two weeks, touching off speculation about his fate.

With the start of President Xi Jinping's third term in office, there has been a string of surprise personnel changes, including the replacement of Foreign Minister Qin Gang and the firing of a senior official from the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.