ChinaZhōngguó中国two (people, with measure word)liǎng míng两名formerqián前defense ministerguófáng bùzhǎng国防部长because of / due toyīn因to accept bribesshòuhuì受贿to be sentencedbèi pàn被判death penaltysǐxíng死刑with a two-year reprieve / suspended executionhuǎnqī zhíxíng缓期执行。
May 9, 2026 at 2:00 AM
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China & WorldChina Sentences Two Former Defense Ministers to Death With Reprieve Over Bribery
A Chinese military court sentenced former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve on May 7, setting the harshest precedent yet in Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive within the PLA.
A Chinese military court pronounced verdicts on May 7 against two former defense ministers on bribery charges. Both were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, effectively life imprisonment.
Wei Fenghe, 72, served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023. He was found to have abused his authority in military personnel promotions and accepted enormous bribes.
Li Shangfu, 68, served as defense minister for less than eight months. He was convicted of both accepting and offering bribes, and of facilitating promotions for specific individuals.
Both men were placed under investigation by the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission in 2023.
This verdict demonstrates Beijing's resolve to purge corruption from senior PLA leadership, representing the most severe punishment issued against high-ranking military officers since Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption campaign within the armed forces.
According to Chinese law, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve typically converts to life imprisonment after the reprieve period expires, without possibility of parole.
Analysts note that this case demonstrates Beijing's determination to root out corruption from the PLA's top ranks, despite investigations spanning more than two years.
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