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Page 10 - The Indian EYE 060526
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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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