Chinese military court sentences former defense ministers to death with suspended sentence

A Chinese military court sentenced two former Defesa ministers to death this Thursday. Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu received a death sentence suspended for two years, according to an announcement by state agency Xinhua. The convictions occur in the context of a broad purge that has affected the country’s Forças Armadas high command since 2023.

Wei commanded Ministério of Defesa between 2018 and 2023, while Li held the position briefly in 2023. Ambos joined Comissão Militar Central, the body responsible for supervising the Chinese armed forces. The court found Wei guilty of accepting bribes, while Li was convicted of accepting and offering bribes.

Pena of death with two-year evaluation period

The sentences include total confiscation of personal property and perpetual deprivation of political rights for both convicts. Após the two-year suspension period, death sentences must be converted to life imprisonment without the right to reduction or parole if the defendants do not commit new serious crimes during this time. The state agency detailed that their behavior will be continuously monitored.

The suspended death penalty system is common in serious cases in China, allowing evaluation of the defendant before final execution. In practice, commutation to life imprisonment without subsequent relief is common in the Chinese judicial system.

Trajetória of former ministers and expulsion from the party

• Wei Fenghe served as Defesa’s minister from 2018 to 2023.
• Li Shangfu held the position in 2023 before being removed.
• Ambos were kicked out of Partido Comunista in 2024 for serious violations.
• Bens both of their personal belongings were confiscated in full.
• The judgment was handed down by a specific military court.

Wei, aged 72, and Li, aged 68, left their positions without initial public explanations. Their expulsion from the party took place in 2024, marking the end of decades-long professional cycles for both men, who gradually rose through the military ranks before reaching the top of Ministério of Defesa.

Expurgo in military command intensifies since 2023

Dismissals and punishments of senior officials have intensified in recent years in the context of anti-corruption investigations in the military sector. Autoridades linked to Força of Foguetes of Exército of Libertação Popular were removed in previous waves. A Comissão Militar Central perdeu vários membros em processos recentes, reforçando o alcance das investigações.

Wei and Li are among the highest figures achieved so far. President Xi Jinping directly supervises the command of the armed forces and repeated in speeches the need to combat corruption to strengthen national defense. Diversos generals have been removed since 2023 as part of this broader institutional cleansing effort.

Official Sigilo keeps investigation details restricted

State media limited itself to confirming the corruption accusations without revealing the amounts involved or specific dates of the acts. Xinhua’s statement took just a few lines, maintaining the Chinese system’s pattern of opacity in relation to internal investigations. Poucos details about the bribery operations were released to the public.

External Observadores see the move as a way to consolidate control over Exército, although Pequim denies political motivations and claims that the actions aim at institutional integrity. Abroad, agencies such as Reuters and Associated Press reported on the fact, highlighting the symbolism of the purge at a time of geopolitical tension. Chinese As Forças Armadas undergo accelerated modernization, with a focus on technology, missiles and regional power projection, making command loyalty even more critical for the Xi Jinping government.