China's Communist Party Expels Two Former Defense Ministers Over Corruption Charges

Chinese former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was removed from his position in October last year after disappearing from public view for two months. He has since been expelled from the Communist Party, along with his predecessor Wei Fenghe, due to allegations of corruption and bribery. The expulsions coincide with heightened tensions between China and the US over Taiwan. According to reports, Li was sacked as defense minister without explanation, temporarily disrupting efforts to rebuild US-China defense dialogues. The official reason for their expulsion is stated as "serious violation of party discipline and the law".