Former Chinese Minister of National Defense Li Xiangfu was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party, Xinhua News Agency reported on the 27th. Li was abruptly dismissed from his position as Minister of National Defense last October.
According to the report, the Central Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party reviewed the agenda item titled "Review Results and Handling Opinions on the Li Xiangfu Issue" from the Party Central Military Commission and decided to expel former Minister Li from the Party and revoke his qualification as a delegate to the 20th National Congress. Prior to this, the Party Central Military Commission also stripped him of his rank as Shangjiang (General).
The report states that former Minister Li violated regulations by seeking personnel benefits for himself and others, used his position to pursue others' interests, and is suspected of accepting large sums of money and valuables.
Li, who was appointed in March last year, disappeared from official public appearances after attending the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on August 29, just five months later. Amid rumors of his downfall, China dismissed him from all his posts as Minister of National Defense, State Councilor, and member of the Central Military Commission on October 24, about two months later.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the Central Political Bureau also expelled Wei Fenghe, former Minister of National Defense and predecessor to Li Xiangfu, from the Party for issues including bribery.
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