China Removes Defense Minister, the 2nd Minister Ousted in 3 Months

The ousting of Li Shangfu came three months after China fired its foreign minister.

China's Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu delivers a speech during the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on June 4, 2023. Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

China removed defense minister Li Shangfu from his position on Oct. 24, the latest sign of the opacity of the regime’s decision-making.

Gen. Li was also dismissed as state councilor, a post outranking a minister, according to a brief statement issued by state media Xinhua.