China has officially removed its defense minister, Li Shangfu, from his position, two months after he disappeared from public view, according to CNN report.
The reasons for his removal have not been disclosed, and there has been no announcement of his successor.
This move comes after several high-ranking military officials were also dismissed, including Qin Gang, who was removed as foreign minister in July.
Mr Qin and Mr Li were also removed from their positions on the State Council – a powerful body headed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping who ultimately commands the armed forces – state broadcaster CCTV reported Tuesday.
The decision was approved by the standing committee of the country’s rubber-stamp legislature, the National People’s Congress, according to CCTV.
Li’s removal leaves China without a defense minister just as it is about to host foreign defense officials in Beijing.
Reuters reported last month that he was under investigation for suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development.
Li was last seen in public at a Beijing security forum with African nations on August 29, and he had held the position of defense minister since March.
In 2018, he faced sanctions from the U.S. government for China’s purchases of Russian combat aircraft and arms.
He was known to be a favorite of President Xi Jinping, much like Qin, who lost his last government title in July, being removed as China’s foreign minister after only seven months in the position.
No reason was given for Mr Qin’s removal either but the Wall Street Journal cited sources saying he had an extramarital affair while in his post as ambassador to the United States.