China: Former Chinese Defense Ministers Sentenced to Death as Xi Jinping continues purge in CCP

Beijing: Two of China's former defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, have been sentenced to death on charges of corruption. However, their death sentences have been suspended for a period of time. According to a two-paragraph statement released by the Xinhua News Agency late Thursday afternoon, a military court found Wei guilty of accepting bribes, while Li was found guilty of both accepting and offering bribes. The statement did not specify the exact amount of bribes involved in these cases.

Will Death Sentences be Commuted to Life Imprisonment?

According to a report by the 'South China Morning Post', the statement indicated that both individuals have been sentenced to death, with a two-year reprieve, permanent deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of all their personal assets. It further added that following the two-year reprieve period, their sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment, with no possibility of sentence reduction or parole.

Stiffest Sentences in Xi Jinping's Anti-Corruption Campaign?

These sentences represent the harshest penalties handed down to senior military officials since Chinese President Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption campaign in 2012. Li served as China's Minister of National Defense from March to October 2023; he holds the distinction of being China's shortest-serving defense minister. Wei held the position prior to him, serving from 2018 to 2023. Beijing announced investigations against both Wei and Li in June 2024, and following a decision by the Party's Politburo, they were expelled from the Communist Party.

Why is Wei Accused of Disloyalty to the Communist Party?

According to the indictment, Wei became the only top-ranking Chinese general during Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign to be characterized as *Zhongcheng Shi Ji*—meaning "lacking loyalty and having lost his integrity." This is an indirect indication of betraying the Chinese Communist Party or of being influenced by a hostile force. The 2024 statement asserted that their trust has been shattered and they have lost their purity.