Summary: Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been relieved of his duties after an unexplained absence of two months. This decision was made during the sixth meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on October 24th. Additionally, former Foreign Minister Kin Gang has also been removed from his position as a State Councilor. While the reasons for their removal have not been disclosed, both ministers had not been seen in public for several months.
In addition to Li Shangfu, Minister of Science and Technology Wang Jigying and Minister of Finance Liu Kun have also been dismissed from their positions. They will be replaced by He Jun, Party Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Lan Fowan, Party Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, respectively.
This official reshuffle in the Chinese Cabinet comes after months of speculation. In July, Kin Gang was removed from his position without any explanation. Later, in September, reports emerged about Defense Minister Li Shangfu’s impending departure.
