Beijing: The recent expulsion of two former defense ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for "serious violations of party discipline and the law" has underscored ongoing corruption issues within President Xi Jinping’s administration. This move follows the expulsion of nine military officials in December 2023, indicating persistent corruption in China's defense sector.

Li Shangfu, who assumed the role of defense minister in March 2022, disappeared from public view in August. His removal was officially announced in October, months after his vanishing act sparked widespread speculation. Wei Fenghe, Li’s predecessor, faced accusations of accepting bribes in the form of money and gifts. Both officials were stripped of their titles and qualifications as delegates to the 20th CPC National Congress.

Chinese state media reported that an investigation launched in August revealed that Li had severely breached political and organizational discipline. Allegations against him included seeking improper benefits in personnel arrangements and accepting substantial bribes. These cases were handed over to "prosecutorial organs of the military for examination and prosecution," though details about their current status or responses to the allegations remain scarce.

In December, nine military officials were expelled from the National People's Congress as part of a broader anti-corruption campaign. Among those expelled were four generals from the military's rocket force, responsible for managing China’s conventional and nuclear arsenal. This purge has caused significant disruption within the strategic missile unit, reflecting a comprehensive anti-graft probe targeting senior military leaders.

The removal of rocket force officials Lu Hong, Li Yuchao, Li Chuanguang, and Zhou Yaning coincided with the appointment of Dong Jun as the new defense minister by presidential decree. This reshuffle is seen as a demonstration of President Xi Jinping's commitment to eliminating corruption and enhancing the effectiveness of the armed forces, with the goal of transforming the military into a "world-class" fighting force by mid-century.

The disappearance of high-profile figures is not a new phenomenon in China. Billionaires, corporate leaders, security chiefs, actors, scientists, sports stars, and diplomats have all faced similar fates. This trend highlights the opaque nature of China’s political system, characterized by arbitrary and unaccountable power. Yaqiu Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted that much of what is known about these cases is speculative, underscoring the lack of transparency within the Chinese government.

In August 2023, Qin Gang, China’s top foreign affairs diplomat, went missing, sparking intense speculation. Qin, who had been foreign minister for only seven months, was last seen in public on June 25 in Beijing. His disappearance occurred as Washington and Beijing were making renewed efforts to stabilize strained relations.

In September 2022, China’s former justice minister, Fu Zhenghua, was imprisoned on bribery charges. Fu, who had led several anti-corruption campaigns, admitted to accepting $14.7 million in bribes. He was sentenced to death, with his sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment after two years. Fu’s conviction came amid a sudden crackdown on officials ahead of a key Communist Party congress, where President Xi Jinping was expected to secure a historic third term and further consolidate his power.

Similarly, in September 2018, Meng Hongwei, the former head of Interpol, disappeared during a trip to China from France. He was later sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in prison for bribery. Meng’s detention was part of President Xi’s anti-corruption drive, which critics claim is used to silence political rivals. Meng admitted to accepting over $2 million in bribes and was expelled from the party and stripped of all government positions. His wife, now living in France under political asylum, has argued that the charges against him were politically motivated.

These high-profile corruption cases and disappearances reflect the broader geopolitical implications of China’s internal politics. As China seeks to establish itself as a dominant power in a multipolar world order, its opaque and often ruthless political maneuvers continue to raise concerns among global observers. The expulsion and punishment of top officials serve as a stark warning to others within the CCP, reinforcing President Xi Jinping’s control over the party.