(Li Shangfu, former Minister of National Defense of China)
China sentenced two former Ministers of National Defense to death with a two-year reprieve in a corruption case. If they commit no further offenses during this period, their sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment.
Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday, 7 May 2026 GMT+7, that two former Chinese Ministers of National Defense, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, were sentenced to death for corruption but with a two-year reprieve.
Xinhua earlier reported that Li was suspected of accepting "massive bribes" and bribing others. Investigations also found he "neglected his political duties" and "sought personal benefits for himself and associates."
As for Wei, who began under investigation in 2023, he was found to have accepted "massive" bribes and "assisted others in gaining improper personnel allocations." Xinhua reported in 2024 that his actions were "extremely serious, causing significant negative impact and huge damage."
In China, a death sentence with a reprieve is usually reduced to life imprisonment if the offender commits no further crimes during the reprieve period.
Xinhua stated that after sentence reduction, both will serve life imprisonment without further parole or sentence reduction. They also have their political rights revoked for life and all personal assets confiscated.
Wei, a former commander of the Rocket Force from 2015 to 2017, served as Minister of National Defense until being replaced by Li in March 2023.
Li was one of Xi Jinping’s most trusted generals, overseeing weapons design and procurement and leading Xi’s vision to modernize China’s military. He also led China’s ambitious space program, supervising many space missions.
Both Wei and Li were members of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the country’s top military decision-making body.
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Source:cna