World

China sentences former defense ministers Wei Fenghe, Li Shangfu to death with reprieve for graft, state media reports

By Reuters Reuters
FILE PHOTO: China's State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe speaks at a plenary session during the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: China's State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe speaks at a plenary session during the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo CAROLINE CHIA Reuters

BEIJING - Former Chinese defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve over graft charges, state media Xinhua reported on Thursday.

The two men were expelled from the ruling Communist Party in 2024 for "serious violations of discipline", a euphemism for corruption. A death sentence with reprieve in China is typically commuted to life imprisonment if the offender commits no crimes during the period of reprieve.

(Reporting by Beijing NewsroomEditing by Peter Graff)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 6:13 AM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER