China has sentenced two former defence ministers to death with a two-year reprieve over corruption charges, in a dramatic display of how Beijing is handling graft at the highest levels of power.
While many countries such as the United States and Malawi are often accused of protecting politically connected officials and allowing corrupt figures to remain close to power, Chinese authorities have moved aggressively against senior military leaders accused of abusing public office for personal gain.
State news agency Xinhua reported that former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were convicted over bribery and corruption offences involving huge sums of money.
Authorities accused Li of receiving “huge sums of money” in bribes and using his office to secure improper benefits for himself and associates.
Wei was also accused of accepting “a huge amount of money and valuables” and helping others gain unfair advantages in military personnel arrangements.
The sentencing is among the harshest punishments handed to such senior officials in recent years and signals Beijing’s continued hardline stance on corruption within state institutions and the military.
Under Chinese law, a death sentence with a two-year reprieve is typically commuted to life imprisonment if the offender commits no further crimes during that period. However, state media said both men would remain jailed for life without the possibility of parole after commutation.
The convictions come as President Xi Jinping continues a long-running anti-corruption campaign that has targeted powerful figures across government, the military and state-owned enterprises.
Analysts say the crackdown reflects China’s attempt to project discipline and control within its institutions at a time when corruption, lobbying and political influence continue to shape decision-making in many parts of the world.
