A Chinese military court has handed suspended death sentences to former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu for corruption, China's Xinhua news agency reported today. Wei Fenghe was sentenced for accepting bribes, while Li Shangfu received the same penalty for accepting and offering bribes.

Under Chinese law, a suspended death sentence means execution is postponed for two years. If no further offenses are committed during this period, the sentence is commuted to life imprisonment. The ruling also includes lifelong deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all personal assets, with no eligibility for parole or sentence reduction after commutation. This marks the harshest punishment for former high-ranking military officials since President Xi Jinping initiated his extensive anti-corruption campaign in 2012.

Former ministers Li Shangfu (left) and Wei Fenghe. *Photo: AP, Reuters*

General Wei Fenghe served as China's Minister of Defense from 3/2018 to 3/2023. His successor, General Li Shangfu, held the position for seven months.

The Central Military Commission of China began investigating Li in 8/2023 for "serious violations of discipline and law," leading to the stripping of his military membership and rank. One month later, Wei faced a similar investigation and loss of military status. Both individuals were expelled from the Communist Party of China in 6/2024.