What's happened
China's Communist Party expels former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe for corruption, following investigations into bribery and corruption. The military pledges loyalty to President Xi Jinping amidst ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
Why it matters
The expulsion of high-ranking officials for corruption highlights President Xi Jinping's ongoing efforts to root out corruption within the party and military. This move demonstrates the party's commitment to combatting corruption at all levels, impacting national defence and military construction.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post reports that nine state-owned defence companies in China have pledged to tackle corruption following the expulsion of former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe. The New York Times and Al Jazeera provide details on the corruption charges against the former ministers, including bribery and abuse of power.
How we got here
President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign has been ongoing, targeting high-ranking officials and military personnel. The recent expulsions of former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe underscore the party's commitment to eradicating corruption within the military and government.
Common question
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Wei Fenghe is a general in the Chinese People's Liberation Army who served as Commander of the PLA Rocket Force, formerly known as the Second Artillery Corps.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Li Shangfu is a Chinese aerospace engineer and general of the People's Liberation Army. Li is currently a State Councilor of the People's Republic of China and the Minister of National Defence since March 2023.
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Xinhua News Agency or New China News Agency is the official state-run press agency of the People's Republic of China. Xinhua is the biggest and most influential media organization in China, as well as the largest news agency in the world in terms of corre