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OPINION JUNE 05, 2026 | The Indian Eye 10

Death Sentences to Former

Chinese Defence Ministers:

Xi Jinping Cracks Down on

PLA Corruption

With the removal and prosecution of Zhang Youxia and his faction from the CMC and the Chinese military,
Xi Jinping is in full authority over the CMC and the PLA. It is likely that in the near future, all remaining

positions at the CMC will be filled by Xi Jinping’s men

ABHISHEK KUMAR DARBEY

n 7 May 2026, former Chi-
nese defence ministers Wei
OFenghe and Li Shangfu were
sentenced to death by the Military
Court of China. It marks the first
time such a sentence has been hand-
ed down to defence ministers in the
history of the People’s Republic of
China (PRC). The severity of the
verdict also surpasses the life impris-
onment imposed on Guo Boxiong,
former Vice Chairman of the Cen-
tral Military Commission (CMC),
and Fang Fenghui, former Chief of Though corruption under Xi Jinping has declined significantly compared to the past, the regime has often used ‘corruption’ as a tool to frame
the Joint Staff Department. The two
former defence ministers will be per- and purge rivals within its system (File photo)
manently deprived of their political
rights, and all their personal assets with a two-year reprieve may be com- served in the PLA Second Artillery Fenghe, was also investigated. Both
have been ordered confiscated. muted to life imprisonment if the and PLA Rocket Force. His succes- were found guilty of corruption, and
Under Chinese law, the ‘Sus- convicted person does not commit sor and close confidant, Li Shangfu, in June 2024, they were expelled from
pension of Death Sentence or Death an intentional crime during the re- is currently 68 years old, having spent the Party and the PLA and referred
with Reprieve’ is a unique system for prieve period. In practice, suspended most of his career serving at the to military procuratorial organs for
the application of the death penalty. death sentences are rarely carried Xichang Satellite Launch Centre be- examination and prosecution.
It generally applies to criminals who out. Therefore, it is believed that fore being transferred to the CMC. Corruption had been a deeply
merit the death penalty but whose both the defence ministers, upon the Li Shangfu succeeded Wei Feng- rooted structural issue in the Chi-
execution is not deemed immedi- expiration of the two-year reprieve, he as the 13th Minister of National nese system, including in its military.
ately necessary. Such individuals will have their sentences commuted Defence in March 2023. Only a few In the Chinese system, corruption
are sentenced to death, but with a to life imprisonment without parole. months after his appointment, Li encompasses both economic corrup-
simultaneous declaration that the ex- Wei Fenghe, currently 72, joined Shangfu was investigated for charges tion (embezzlement, misappropria-
ecution is suspended for a period of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of corruption in August 2023, and, tion of public funds, and bribery) and
two years. Usually, a death sentence in 1970 at age 16. He has largely in the process, his predecessor, Wei Continued on next page... >>

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