China's Military Purge Intensifies with Harsh Sentences for Former Defense Ministers

Severe Sentences in Military Corruption Case

In a significant move within its military reform efforts, China has imposed severe penalties on two former defense ministers, sentencing them to suspended death sentences due to corruption. The court's decision, revealed on May 7, 2026, signifies a notable escalation in President Xi Jinping’s ongoing initiative to eliminate corruption and disloyalty within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

A military tribunal found:

• Wei Fenghe, who served as Defense Minister from 2018 to 2023, guilty of accepting bribes.
• Li Shangfu, who held the position briefly in 2023, was convicted of both accepting and offering bribes.

Both individuals received suspended death sentences with a two-year reprieve, which under Chinese law typically converts to life imprisonment if no additional offenses occur during that time. The Xinhua News Agency characterized their crimes as “extremely serious” with “significant” repercussions.

Wei and Li are part of a broader military purge, the largest since the era of Mao Zedong, targeting numerous high-ranking officials across various branches of the military. Key points in this extensive campaign include:

• Both were expelled from the Communist Party in 2024.
• The investigation peaked in January 2026 when General Zhang Youxia, a top military aide to Xi, came under scrutiny.
• Currently, Xi has only one uniformed officer on the Central Military Commission, down from six at the beginning of his term in 2022.
• Since mid-2023, over 75 senior military officers and defense industry leaders have faced investigations or removal.

Wei Fenghe, previously a commander of the rocket force, was a member of the Central Military Commission during his tenure as Defense Minister. Li Shangfu, who succeeded him, served for a mere seven months before vanishing from public life. The role of defense minister in China is primarily focused on military diplomacy rather than direct operational command. Both men were closely aligned with Xi before their abrupt downfalls.

Since assuming leadership in 2012, Xi Jinping has leveraged anti-corruption measures to strengthen his grip on power and reform the military. His objectives include:

• Establishing a more professional and technologically advanced military force.
• Enhancing joint operations across various military domains.
• Ensuring unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party and himself.

Despite the ongoing purges, the PLA has remained actively engaged, particularly around Taiwan. However, experts express concerns regarding the impact of these removals on combat readiness, morale, and leadership stability within the two-million-strong military. In April 2026, Xi initiated a new training program for senior officers, emphasizing ideological loyalty and the restoration of traditional party and military values. The recent sentences serve as a clear indication that even the highest-ranking officials are not exempt from accountability in Xi’s efforts to purify and fortify the armed forces.