TOPIC

/ people

Li Shangfu

The latest news on Li Shangfu, former Chinese defence minister, including political stories and updates.

Born

Feb 1958

Industry

Politics, Military

Job Title

Former Minister of Defense, China

New procurement rules for the Chinese military dictate that troops should receive weapons and equipment that are combat-oriented, high quality and offer advanced performance. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

Chinese military tightens review of weapons pricing to fight corruption

CMC Equipment Development Department releases new rules amid push for quality equipment and ‘professional ethics’.

6 hours agovideocam

China’s air force

China’s military calls for tip-offs as it targets corruption in air force

18 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China's military weapons

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

18 Dec 2025 - 6:03AM

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

17 Dec 2025 - 6:48PMvideocam

PLA Air Force Lieutenant General Yang Zhibin, pictured in uniform, is shown at the annual commemoration of the Nanking massacre on Saturday. Photo: CCTV

China’s fourth plenum

How Xi’s ongoing battle against PLA corruption shapes China’s military future

The fight against graft in the armed forces is set to become one of the national priorities for the next five years.

14 Nov 2025 - 9:54AMvideocam

Corruption in China

PLA bans 4 Chinese universities from procurement process for bid-rigging

Three of China’s ‘seven sons of national defence’ receive bans ranging from two years to ‘permanent’ amid Beijing’s anti-corruption drive.

12 Nov 2025 - 5:34PMvideocam

China’s fourth plenum

PLA urged to ‘live a tight life’ as top officials elaborate on 5-year plan

Senior Chinese general calls for cutting training, management and equipment support costs while improving procurement.

6 Nov 2025 - 5:00AM

A foot formation marches through Tiananmen Square during a military parade in Beijing, China on September 3. Photo: Xinhua

China’s fourth plenum

China’s Communist Party kicks off fourth plenum amid tight security in Beijing

Xi Jinping delivers work report during first day of key conclave that will determine China’s development over the next five years.

20 Oct 2025 - 6:55PM

China’s Communist Party

As fourth plenum looms, China braces for a major Central Committee shake-up

Reshuffle expected this month at top Communist Party body as more senior officials are sidelined by corruption investigations.

8 Oct 2025 - 6:35PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Why were China’s generals missing in action during the Victory Day parade?

The senior military officials have had prominent roles in such events in 2019 and 2015, helping to put names to faces.

17 Sep 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

Generals were not a feature of this year’s Victory Day parade. Photo: Xinhua

China’s rocket force

China’s rocket force bans nearly 200 suppliers, evaluators after corruption probe

Partnerships terminated as investigators find cases of errors, collusive bidding and forgery dating back to 2016.

11 Sep 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force was established in 2015 and overseas some of the Chinese military’s most important assets. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Communist Party

The Front Line | As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?

On September 3, China’s steps towards ‘building a world-class military by the middle of the century’ will be more visible.

1 Sep 2025 - 7:17PMvideocam

China’s military

Ex-PLA ideology chief Miao Hua removed from China’s Central Military Commission

The news comes two months after top general was stripped of membership in legislature amid corruption investigation.

27 Jun 2025 - 6:02PM

China's military weapons

As the PLA adopts civilian technology, Chinese bureaucracy could hinder progress

The private sector is finally becoming a real force in defence procurement, but issues such as US sanctions, red tape and corruption remain.

11 Jun 2025 - 10:17AMvideocam

Corruption in China

Disgraced Chinese admiral Miao Hua suspected of ‘legal violations’

Senior PLA ideology official already faced a disciplinary investigation, but now the authorities have hinted at more serious misconduct.

4 Jun 2025 - 3:46PM

China’s Communist Party

China’s military likens anti-corruption drive to preparations for war

At key times in history, the People’s Liberation Army has carried out ‘major political rectification’, PLA Daily says.

3 May 2025 - 2:13PMvideocam

Corruption in China

Senior PLA ideology official Miao Hua removed from China’s top legislature

High-ranking Chinese general is expelled from National People’s Congress following corruption investigation.

30 May 2025 - 1:21PM

Corruption in China

How did China’s top weapons brains become targets of its anti-corruption push?

Acceleration of defence sector’s anti-corruption drive may be linked to the downfall of former defence minister Li Shangfu, analysts say.

24 Mar 2025 - 1:44AMvideocam

China's military weapons

China’s military in frugal mode as it seeks best bang for its yuan

Armed forces must make greatest use of limited resources, PLA officers tell personnel in throes of modernisation push.

20 Mar 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

Corruption in China

Chinese defence industry exec Liu Weidong under investigation for corruption

CSGC deputy general manager named by anti-corruption watchdog just days after restructuring discussions announced.

12 Feb 2025 - 8:19PMvideocam

China’s military

Deputy commander of China’s army among 5 stripped of lawmaker status in probe

Deng Zhiping, hailed after Vietnam border clashes in ’70s and ’80s, is latest to fall in President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign.

14 Sep 2024 - 2:16PMvideocam

Deng Zhiping was among five lawmakers removed from the NPC, China’s top legislature, on Friday. Photo: Weibo

China’s third plenum

China eyes bold 10-year tech and economic goals, sets plenum dates

Plan should balance ‘economy and society, government and market, efficiency and equity, vitality and order, development and security’.

1 Jul 2024 - 10:21AMvideocam

Some 370 full and alternate members of the new Central Committee are expected to attend the third plenum next month. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Beijing says Shangri-La meeting of Chinese, US defence chiefs was ‘positive’

Singapore meeting had a ‘positive effect’ on promoting understanding, says Chinese defence ministry spokesman.

31 May 2024 - 8:43PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

China’s top legislative body to discuss ‘appointments and dismissals’

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee signals a further shake-up following the dismissal of senior generals and former defence minister Li Shangfu.

8 Feb 2024 - 6:03PMvideocam

China’s military

Ex-Chinese defence minister’s absence from Lunar New Year list sparks questions

Wei’s successor Li Shangfu was abruptly removed from his post last year, along with a number of other senior military figures.

8 Feb 2024 - 4:34PMvideocam

Wei Fenghe stepped down as defence minister last year. Photo: Reuters

China’s Communist Party

Will China’s top legislative body shed new light on fates of sacked ministers?

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee will review the qualifications of ‘certain individual representatives’ next week, state media reports.

19 Dec 2023 - 7:10PMvideocam

US-China relations

US defence secretary to meet Chinese counterpart ‘when that person is named’

Beijing has not had a defence minister since Li Shangfu was removed from the post in October for unknown reasons.

17 Nov 2023 - 7:15AMvideocam

Corruption in China

Editorial | Clarity can help clear air over why Beijing sacked two ministers

Within a few months of their appointments, two important Chinese faces to the world, Qin Gang and Li Shangfu, were gone and no one seems to know why.

26 Oct 2023 - 11:11PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Li Shangfu

Chinese military tightens review of weapons pricing to fight corruption

CMC Equipment Development Department releases new rules amid push for quality equipment and ‘professional ethics’.

China’s military calls for tip-offs as it targets corruption in air force

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

How Xi’s ongoing battle against PLA corruption shapes China’s military future

The fight against graft in the armed forces is set to become one of the national priorities for the next five years.

PLA bans 4 Chinese universities from procurement process for bid-rigging

Three of China’s ‘seven sons of national defence’ receive bans ranging from two years to ‘permanent’ amid Beijing’s anti-corruption drive.

PLA urged to ‘live a tight life’ as top officials elaborate on 5-year plan

Senior Chinese general calls for cutting training, management and equipment support costs while improving procurement.

China’s Communist Party kicks off fourth plenum amid tight security in Beijing

Xi Jinping delivers work report during first day of key conclave that will determine China’s development over the next five years.

As fourth plenum looms, China braces for a major Central Committee shake-up

Reshuffle expected this month at top Communist Party body as more senior officials are sidelined by corruption investigations.

Why were China’s generals missing in action during the Victory Day parade?

The senior military officials have had prominent roles in such events in 2019 and 2015, helping to put names to faces.

China’s rocket force bans nearly 200 suppliers, evaluators after corruption probe

Partnerships terminated as investigators find cases of errors, collusive bidding and forgery dating back to 2016.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}The Front Line | As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?

On September 3, China’s steps towards ‘building a world-class military by the middle of the century’ will be more visible.

Ex-PLA ideology chief Miao Hua removed from China’s Central Military Commission

The news comes two months after top general was stripped of membership in legislature amid corruption investigation.

As the PLA adopts civilian technology, Chinese bureaucracy could hinder progress

The private sector is finally becoming a real force in defence procurement, but issues such as US sanctions, red tape and corruption remain.

Disgraced Chinese admiral Miao Hua suspected of ‘legal violations’

Senior PLA ideology official already faced a disciplinary investigation, but now the authorities have hinted at more serious misconduct.

China’s military likens anti-corruption drive to preparations for war

At key times in history, the People’s Liberation Army has carried out ‘major political rectification’, PLA Daily says.

Senior PLA ideology official Miao Hua removed from China’s top legislature

High-ranking Chinese general is expelled from National People’s Congress following corruption investigation.

How did China’s top weapons brains become targets of its anti-corruption push?

Acceleration of defence sector’s anti-corruption drive may be linked to the downfall of former defence minister Li Shangfu, analysts say.

China’s military in frugal mode as it seeks best bang for its yuan

Armed forces must make greatest use of limited resources, PLA officers tell personnel in throes of modernisation push.

Chinese defence industry exec Liu Weidong under investigation for corruption

CSGC deputy general manager named by anti-corruption watchdog just days after restructuring discussions announced.

Deputy commander of China’s army among 5 stripped of lawmaker status in probe

Deng Zhiping, hailed after Vietnam border clashes in ’70s and ’80s, is latest to fall in President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign.

China eyes bold 10-year tech and economic goals, sets plenum dates

Plan should balance ‘economy and society, government and market, efficiency and equity, vitality and order, development and security’.

Beijing says Shangri-La meeting of Chinese, US defence chiefs was ‘positive’

Singapore meeting had a ‘positive effect’ on promoting understanding, says Chinese defence ministry spokesman.

China’s top legislative body to discuss ‘appointments and dismissals’

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee signals a further shake-up following the dismissal of senior generals and former defence minister Li Shangfu.

Ex-Chinese defence minister’s absence from Lunar New Year list sparks questions

Wei’s successor Li Shangfu was abruptly removed from his post last year, along with a number of other senior military figures.

Will China’s top legislative body shed new light on fates of sacked ministers?

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee will review the qualifications of ‘certain individual representatives’ next week, state media reports.

US defence secretary to meet Chinese counterpart ‘when that person is named’

Beijing has not had a defence minister since Li Shangfu was removed from the post in October for unknown reasons.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Clarity can help clear air over why Beijing sacked two ministers

Within a few months of their appointments, two important Chinese faces to the world, Qin Gang and Li Shangfu, were gone and no one seems to know why.

The Front Line | As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?

Editorial | Clarity can help clear air over why Beijing sacked two ministers