The Enigma Surrounding Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu’s Disappearance
In a mysterious turn of events, the United States government believes that Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been placed under investigation by Beijing amid questions about his more than two-weeks-long absence from public view.
This development, reported by the Financial Times, citing US officials, has sparked intrigue and speculation on the international stage.
A Closer Look at the Disappearance
The Financial Times report, dated Friday, September 15, comes on the heels of a report by Reuters on Thursday, September 14, which cited three officials with direct knowledge of the matter. According to Reuters, Li, aged 65, was abruptly pulled out of a meeting with Vietnamese defense leaders the previous week.
US Officials’ Perspective
In the latest sign of political turmoil involving high-ranking officials in China, three US officials and two individuals briefed on the intelligence in Washington concluded that Li has been “stripped of his responsibilities as defense minister.” However, the exact reasons behind this decision remain shrouded in mystery.
The supposed speculations by officials in Washington were further fueled by Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, who took to social media, stating, “Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn’t been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. He was a no-show for his trip to Vietnam. Now, he’s absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy because he was placed on house arrest???” Emanuel’s post also included the hashtag #MysteryInBeijingBuilding, referencing William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” with the words “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
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Unanswered Questions: U.S. believes China defense chief under investigation by Beijing
It remains unclear which meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy Emanuel was referring to. The city-state’s defense ministry mentioned Rear Admiral Sean Wat’s visit to China from September 4 to 9, where he met with PLA Navy commander Dong Jun and other Navy leaders, but there was no mention of a meeting with Li.
Similarly, a US official had previously compared China’s government to Agatha Christie’s novel “And Then There Were None,” citing the disappearances of Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Rocket Force commanders, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu with the hashtag #MysteryInBeijingBuilding.
As of now, both officials in Washington and Beijing have yet to respond to the speculations surrounding Li’s abrupt disappearance.
Last Known Sighting
The 65-year-old Chinese defense official was last seen in Beijing on August 29, delivering a keynote address at a security forum with African nations. Notably, Li’s role as China’s defense minister primarily revolves around defense diplomacy rather than commanding combat forces. In 2018, the US had sanctioned Li for purchasing weapons from Russia’s largest arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.
A Pattern of Disappearances
Li’s alleged disappearance follows China’s unexplained replacement of its foreign minister, Qin Gang, in July, after his extended absence from public view. In the same vein, China replaced the head of its Rocket Force, an army unit overseeing its nuclear arsenal, in July, following the former commander Li Yuchao’s prolonged absence from public life.
Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, commented on these developments, stating, “Li’s disappearance, following so shortly after Qin, speaks to how mysterious Chinese elite politics can be to the outside world. China under President Xi simply does not feel a need to explain itself to the world.”
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Conclusion
The enigmatic disappearance of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has left the international community puzzled and intrigued. As speculation abounds, the world watches closely for any updates or explanations regarding this high-profile political mystery.
FAQs
- Why was Li Shangfu placed under investigation by Beijing?
- The exact reasons for Li Shangfu’s investigation remain unclear, sparking intrigue and speculation.
- What role does Li Shangfu play as China’s defense minister?
- Li Shangfu is primarily responsible for defense diplomacy rather than commanding combat forces.
- Are there any similarities between Li’s disappearance and other recent Chinese political developments?
- Yes, Li’s disappearance follows the unexplained replacements of Foreign Minister Qin Gang and the head of the Rocket Force, Li Yuchao, in July.
- Has there been any official response from Washington or Beijing regarding Li’s disappearance?
- As of now, officials in both Washington and Beijing have not responded to the speculations surrounding Li’s disappearance.
- What do experts say about the opacity of Chinese elite politics in these situations?
- Experts suggest that Chinese elite politics can be mysterious to the outside world, and China’s leadership often does not feel a need to provide detailed explanations.
