China removes Defence Minister, who was missing for two months

HONG KONG: As per media reports, China has removed General Li Shangfu from the post of Defence Minister. Li is the second minister to be abruptly removed since President Xi Jinping began his third term as the party’s leader last October.

The move came after weeks of speculation over the fate of the general, who has not been seen in public since the end of August. The decision to remove him was approved by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, South China Morning Post reported.

In a similar unexplained move, Qin Gang was replaced as Foreign Minister in July by his predecessor Wang Yi. No replacements were named. Li and Qin were also removed as state councillors on Tuesday