Combat veteran is top contender to replace China's missing defence minister
General Liu Zhenli, the head of the military body responsible for China's combat operations and planning, has emerged as the top contender to replace the country's defence minister, who has not been seen in public for more than six weeks, according to five people familiar with the matter.
The appointment of Liu to replace Defence Minister Li Shangfu — which one of the people said was likely to happen before Beijing holds an international security forum later this month — could boost military engagement with the United States amid regional tensions, three military analysts told Reuters.
Li was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for an arms deal he secured with Russia in an earlier role.
China has demanded the curbs — which include a visa ban and prohibitions on conducting U.S. financial transactions — be lifted.
Liu, 59, is not under Western sanctions.
Currently the Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Liu was described as Li's likely replacement by a person with direct knowledge of the matter, as well as two people close to the military and two regional officials with close knowledge of Chinese politics. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information.
China's defence ministry and State Council information office did not respond to requests for comment.
Reuters was unable to reach Liu himself for comment.
The U.S. Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Li's absence has not been officially explained, though Reuters reported last month that he was under investigation for corrupt procurement of military equipment in a previous role.
If his departure is confirmed, Li will be the second senior minister to
