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Beijing (AFP) Sept 20, 2023 - The sacking of a top diplomat and mysterious disappearance of a defence minister have raised fresh questions around President Xi Jinping's increasingly opaque decision-making, experts say.
Speculation is growing over the disappearance of China's Defense Minister Li Shangfu, with some suspecting that he has been purged by the regime. Li, who was appointed by Chairman Xi Jinping in March, has not been seen or heard from since August, and the government has refused to provide any explanation for his absence. This follows a pattern of disappearing leaders in China, as the regime attempts to curb personal greed and corruption. The removal of Li, if confirmed, would reflect poorly on Xi's judgment and his ability to root out corruption in the Chinese Communist Party.
The sacking of a top diplomat and mysterious disappearance of a defence minister have raised fresh questions around President Xi Jinping's increasingly opaque decision-making, experts say.
The sacking of a top diplomat and mysterious disappearance of a defence minister have raised fresh questions around President Xi Jinping's increasingly opaque decision-making, experts say."For them to be removed so quickly does raise questions about what information Xi is and is not getting when he selects people," she said, as well as "what's happening to cause them to be removed so quickly".
China's former foreign minister Qin Gang (L) and defence minister Li Shangfu (R) have both disappeared from office in recent weeks - Copyright AFP Jose JordanPeter CATTERALLThe sacking of a top diplomat and mysterious disappearance of a defence minister have raised fresh questions around President Xi Jinping’s increasingly opaque decision-making, experts say. US officials believe […]