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'{{Short description|Chinese engineer and former military administrator}} {{family name hatnote|[[Li (surname 李)|Li]]|lang=Chinese}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific-prefix = [[Jiang (rank)|General]] | name = Li Shangfu | native_name = {{nobold|李尚福}} | native_name_lang = zh | image = Li Shangfu (2023) (cropped).jpg | caption = Li in 2023 | office = [[State councillor (China)|State Councilor of the People's Republic of China]] | alongside = [[Wang Xiaohong]], [[Wu Zhenglong]], [[Shen Yiqin]], and [[Qin Gang]] | premier = [[Li Qiang]] | term_start = 12 March 2023 | term_end = 24 October 2023 | office1 = 13th [[Minister of National Defense (China)|Minister of National Defense]] | term_start1 = 12 March 2023 | term_end1 = 24 October 2023 | premier1 = Li Qiang | 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|CMC Chairman}} | 1namedata1 = [[Xi Jinping]] | predecessor1 = [[Wei Fenghe]] | successor1 = [[Dong Jun]] | office2 = Head of the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission|Equipment Development Department]] | term_start2 = September 2017 | term_end2 = October 2022 | predecessor2 = [[Zhang Youxia]] | successor2 = [[Xu Xueqiang]] | office3 = Commander of the [[China Manned Space Program]] | term_start3 = September 2017 | term_end3 = October 2022 | predecessor3 = Zhang Youxia | successor3 = Xu Xueqiang | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1958|2}} | birth_place = [[Chengdu]], [[Sichuan]], China | death_date = <!-- {{death date and age||df=yes}} or {{death year and age| }} --> | death_place = | party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2024&ndash;present) | otherparty = [[CCP]] (1980-2024) | spouse = <!-- {{marriage||}} --> | children = | parents = | relations = | alma_mater = {{ indented plainlist | *[[National University of Defense Technology]] *[[Chongqing University]]<small> ([[Doctor of Engineering|EngD]])</small> }} | nickname = | allegiance = {{PRC}} | branch = {{army|China}}<br>[[People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force]] | serviceyears = 1982–present | rank = [[File:PLAGeneral r.svg.png|50px]] [[Jiang (rank)|General]] | unit = | commands = | battles = | mawards = | website = }} '''Li Shangfu''' ({{zh|c=李尚福|p=Lǐ Shàngfú}}; born February 1958) is a Chinese [[aerospace engineer]] and former military administrator who served as the 13th [[Minister of National Defense (China)|Minister of National Defense]] of China and as [[state councillor|State Councillor]] of China from March to October 2023. He joined the [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA) as a technician at the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] in 1982. He was conferred the rank of general in July 2019 and was appointed as a member of the [[Central Military Commission (China)|Central Military Commission]] in October 2022. In August 2023 Li disappeared from public view and was then removed from office on October 24, 2023. He is both the shortest-serving Minister of National Defense and the first from the [[People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force|PLA Strategic Support Force]]. Li Shangfu previously served as Deputy Commander of the [[PLA Strategic Support Force]] and Deputy Commander of the [[PLA General Armaments Department]]. He spent 31 years working at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, including 10 years as the center director. He later served as head of the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission|Equipment Development Department]] of the [[Central Military Commission (China)|Central Military Commission]] from 2017 to 2022. ==Early life== Li Shangfu was born in February 1958 in [[Chengdu]], [[Sichuan]] Province, with his [[ancestral home (Chinese)|ancestral home]] in [[Xingguo County]], [[Jiangxi]] Province. He is the son of Li Shaozhu ({{lang|zh|李绍珠}}), a [[Chinese Red Army|Red Army]] veteran and former high-ranking officer of the PLA Railway Force.<ref name=ifeng>{{cite news |url=http://hebei.ifeng.com/news/fengguanyanzhao/detail_2015_01/08/3397557_1.shtml |script-title=zh:七大军区岗位调动超30人 史鲁泽直升北京军区参谋长 |work=Phoenix News |date=8 January 2015 |language=zh}}</ref> Li Shangfu joined the PLA when he entered the [[National University of Defense Technology]] in 1978. After graduating in 1982, he began working at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center as a technician.<ref name=chinadaily>{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-09/19/content_32187194.htm |title=PLA says chief of its arms wing replaced |date=19 September 2017 |work=China Daily |author=Zhao Lei}}</ref> Li attained a [[Doctor of Engineering]] in [[control theory]] and [[control engineering]] from [[Chongqing University]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=人民网–金台资讯 |title=李尚福简历 |url=https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1760214336500390286 |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=人民网–金台资讯}}</ref> == Career == In December 2003, he was promoted to Director (Commander) of the center at the age of 45. In 2006, he attained the rank of [[major general]].<ref name=chinadaily/> In his ten years as director of the Xichang center, Li oversaw several rocket launches, including the launch of the [[Chang'e 2]] lunar probe in October 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2017-09-18/doc-ifykynia8039217.shtml |script-title=zh:李尚福任军委装备发展部部长 从事航天30余年 |date=18 September 2017 |work=Sina |language=zh}}</ref> After 31 years working in Xichang, Li was appointed [[Chief of Staff]] of the [[People's Liberation Army General Armaments Department|PLA General Armaments Department]] (GAD) in 2013, replacing Major General [[Shang Hong]].<ref name=ifeng/><ref name=chinadaily/> A year later, he was made Deputy Director of the GAD.<ref name=chinadaily/> [[File:Zhang Youxia (2017-12-07) 02.jpg|thumb|left|[[Zhang Youxia]], Li and the Chinese delegation in Moscow, Russia in 2017]] In 2016, Li was appointed Deputy Commander of the newly established [[People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force|PLA Strategic Support Force]], which is responsible for cyberspace, space, and other high-tech warfare. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in the same year.<ref name=chinadaily/> In September 2017, Li was appointed Director of the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission]], the successor department of the GAD, replacing General [[Zhang Youxia]].<ref name=chinadaily/> In October 2017, Li was elected a member of the [[19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/24/c_136702936.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025021849/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/24/c_136702936.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |title=List of members of the 19th CPC Central Committee |publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]] |date=24 October 2017}}</ref> Li Shangfu was conferred the rank of major general in July 2006. In August 2016, he was conferred the rank of lieutenant general. In July 2019, he was conferred the rank of general.<ref>{{Cite web |title=中央军委举行晋升上将军衔警衔仪式 习近平颁发命令状并向晋衔的军官警官表示祝贺_滚动新闻_中国政府网 |url=https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019-07/31/content_5417617.htm |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.gov.cn}}</ref> === Central Military Commission === In October 2022, he was nominated as a member of the 20th Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party by Party general secretary [[Xi Jinping]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Jash |first=Amrita |date=December 8, 2022 |title=The 20th Central Military Commission: Personnel and Priorities |language=en-US |work=[[Jamestown Foundation]] |url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-20th-central-military-commission-personnel-and-priorities/ |access-date=2023-04-19}}</ref> He ranked first among the members of the Central Military Commission.<ref name=":0" /> On January 18, 2023, Li Shangfu attended the Central Military Commission promotion ceremony, and was appointed State Councilor and Minister of National Defense on March 12 of the same year, succeeding [[Wei Fenghe]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=[视频]中央军委举行晋升上将军衔仪式 习近平颁发命令状并向晋衔的军官表示祝贺 |url=https://tv.cctv.com/2023/01/18/VIDEezklDzquHAfcMu1mVdQJ230118.shtml?spm=C31267.PXDaChrrDGdt.EbD5Beq0unIQ.7 |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=tv.cctv.com}}</ref> According to ''[[The Diplomat]]'', Li's promotion reflects Chinese attempts to prioritize aerospace in its defense modernization program, against a backdrop of increasing technological competition between China and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/who-is-li-shangfu-chinas-next-defense-minister/|title=Who Is Li Shangfu, China's Next Defense Minister?|first=Marcus|last=Clay|date=2023-02-27|newspaper=The Diplomat|access-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> [[File:SCO Defense Ministers meeting (2023).jpg|thumb|250px|Li at the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|SCO]] defense ministers' meeting in New Delhi, India, 28 April 2023]] On April 17, 2023, Li made his first overseas visit to Russia. As part of his four-day visit, he met with Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] and Defense Minister [[Sergei Shoigu]] in [[Moscow]]. During his meeting, he stated the [[China–Russia relations|ties between China and Russia]] ‘surpass military-political alliances of the [[Cold War]] era’.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/17/chinas-defence-minister-and-putin-vow-to-strengthen-military-cooperation|title=China's defence minister and Putin vow to strengthen military cooperation|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2023-04-17|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3217362/russia-and-china-show-solidarity-chinese-defence-minister-li-shangfu-heads-moscow|title=Russia and China show solidarity as Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu heads to Moscow|first=Amber|last=Wang|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=2023-04-17|access-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref> On April 28, he met with [[Minister of Defence (India)|Indian Minister of Defense]] [[Rajnath Singh]] as part of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] defense ministers' meeting in [[New Delhi, India]], making it the first visit to India by a Chinese Defense Minister since the [[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes|2020 border skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65399808|title=SCO: China defence minister in India amid border tensions|newspaper=BBC|date=2023-04-28|access-date=2023-04-30}}</ref> In June 2023, at the 2023 [[International Institute for Strategic Studies|IISS]] [[Shangri-La Dialogue]] in [[Singapore]], Li made public comments stating that war with the United States would be an unbearable disaster and that both the United States and China needed to seek more common ground in the wake of recent escalations between the two countries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-04 |title=Li Shangfu: War with US would be unbearable disaster, says China defence minister |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-65803311 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> === Removal === In September 2023, ''[[Reuters]]'' reported that Li was under anti-corruption investigations by the [[Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Central Military Commission]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-15 |title=Chinese defence minister under investigation for corrupt procurement |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-diplomat-questions-whether-chinese-defence-minister-under-house-arrest-2023-09-15/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref> His absence had been observed and speculated on by U.S. government officials, who told the ''[[Financial Times]]'' they believed that Li was under investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sevastopulo |first=Demetri |date=2023-09-14 |title=Chinese defence minister under investigation by Beijing, US believes |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d0fa10c5-303c-4129-8283-a147639f70b3 |access-date=2023-09-15 |work=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> On 24 October 2023, the sixth meeting of the Standing Committee of the [[14th National People's Congress]] decided to remove Li Shangfu from the posts of State Councilor and Minister of National Defense and remove [[Qin Gang]] from the post of State Councilor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhu Ying (朱英) |title=十四届全国人大常委会第六次会议在京闭幕__中国政府网 |url=https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202310/content_6911357.htm |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.gov.cn}}</ref><ref name="K" /> He was removed from the Central Military Commission.<ref name="K">{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=KYODO |title=China removes defense minister Li after nearly 2-month absence |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/10/d55a337868d3-urgent-li-removed-from-china-defense-minister-post-report.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Kyodo News+}}</ref> With a tenure of seven months, Li is the shortest-serving minister of national defense of the People's Republic of China.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2023/10/24/china-ousts-missing-li-shangfu-as-defence-minister.html|title=China ousts 'missing' Li Shangfu as defence minister|newspaper=The Week|date=2023-10-24|access-date=2023-10-26}}</ref> His last public appearance was on 29 August 2023, when he delivered a speech at a security forum with African nations held in Beijing.<ref name="K" /> On 4 March 2024, National People's Congress spokesperson [[Lou Qinjian]] announced Li was no longer a delegate to the NPC, though there has been no official announcements on Li's dismissal or resignation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2024 |title=娄勤俭回答《联合早报》记者：李尚福已经不是人大代表 不能参加两会 |trans-title=Lou Qinjian replied to a reporter from "Lianhe Zaobao": Li Shangfu is no longer a deputy to the National People's Congress and cannot participate in the two sessions |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20240304-1471939 |access-date=30 March 2024 |work=[[Lianhe Zaobao]]}}</ref> On 27 June 2024 the CPC announced that Li has been expelled from the Party for "disciplinary and law violations", and the case has been referred to the military's legal organisations for criminal prosecution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPC expels former Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu - Global Times |url=https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202406/1314952.shtml |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=www.globaltimes.cn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627104328/https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202406/1314952.shtml |archive-date=2024-06-27}}</ref> == Disputes == === U.S. sanctions === On 20 September 2018, Li Shangfu, along with the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission|Equipment Development Department]], were sanctioned by the U.S. government for "engaging in significant transactions with persons" sanctioned under United States federal law [[Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act|CAATSA]], namely for transactions that involved "Russia's transfer to China of [[Sukhoi Su-35|Su-35]] combat aircraft and [[S-400 missile system|S-400]] surface-to-air missile system-related equipment."<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/20/politics/russia-china-sanctions-caatsa-state-dept/index.html US sanctions Chinese military for buying Russian weapons] CNN, 21 September 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions/us-sanctions-china-for-buying-russian-fighter-jets-missiles-idUSKCN1M02TP U.S. sanctions China for buying Russian fighter jets, missiles] Reuters, 20 September 2018.</ref><ref name="statecaatsa">[https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/09/286077.htm CAATSA Section 231: "Addition of 33 Entities and Individuals to the List of Specified Persons and Imposition of Sanctions on the Equipment Development Department"] U.S. Department of State, September 20, 2018.</ref> As a result, he is included in the [[Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=24838|title=Li Shangfu|newspaper=Office of Assets Control|access-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> Despite the sanctions imposed on him by the United States, he would be allowed to conduct official meetings with his American counterparts although an exemption will not be issued to waive his sanction designation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ching |first=Nike |date=2023-03-20 |title=US: Sanctions on China's New Defense Chief Not a Hurdle for Military Talks |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-sanctions-on-china-new-defense-chief-not-a-hurdle-for-military-talks/7013164.html |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=[[Voice of America]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3213398/are-us-sanctions-chinas-new-defence-chief-real-barrier-dialogue|title=Are US sanctions on China's new defence chief the real barrier to dialogue?|first=Minnie|last=Chan|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=2023-03-14|access-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> On 21 May 2023, [[U.S. President]] [[Joe Biden]] stated that [[Presidency of Joe Biden|his administration]] was considering lifting sanctions on Li,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sevastopulo |first=Demetri |date=21 May 2023 |title=Joe Biden expects imminent 'thaw' in China relations |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/251f5e02-e375-44ed-af72-2eeae375b0cd |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref> though later in press briefing on 22 May, [[Spokesperson for the United States Department of State|U.S. State Department spokesperson]] [[Matthew Miller (spokesperson)|Matthew Miller]] stated that the United States is not considering lifting sanctions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lindberg |first=Kari Soo |date=23 May 2023 |title=US Now Says No Plan to Lift Sanctions on China Defense Minister |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-23/us-now-says-no-plan-to-lift-sanctions-on-china-defense-minister#xj4y7vzkg |access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{Wikiquote-inline}} *{{Commonscatinline}} {{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef | before = {{ill|Xu Hongliang|zh|徐宏亮}} }} {{s-ttl | title = Director of the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] | years = 2003–2013 }} {{s-aft | after = [[Zhang Zhenzhong]] }} {{s-bef | before = {{ill|Shang Hong (lieutenant general)|zh|尚宏 (中将)|lt=Shang Hong}} }} {{s-ttl | title = Chief of Staff of the Headquarters of the [[People's Liberation Army General Armaments Department|General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army]] | years = 2013–2014 }} {{s-aft | after = {{ill|Fei Jiabing|zh|费加兵}} }} {{s-new}} {{s-ttl | title = Chief of Staff of the [[People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force]] | years = 2016–2017 }} {{s-aft | after = [[Rao Kaixun]] }} {{s-bef | rows = 2 | before = [[Zhang Youxia]] }} {{s-ttl | title = Commander of the [[China Manned Space Program]] | years = 2017–2022 }} {{s-aft | rows = 2 | after = [[Xu Xueqiang]] | years = 2022–present }} {{s-ttl | title = Head of the [[Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission]] | years = 2017–2022 }} {{s-gov}} {{s-bef | before = General [[Wei Fenghe]] }} {{s-ttl | title = [[Minister of National Defense (China)|Minister of National Defense]] | years = 2023 }} {{s-aft |after = Admiral [[Dong Jun]]}} {{s-end}} {{14th State Council of China}} {{Ministers of National Defense of the People's Republic of China}} {{State councillors}} {{Generals of the People's Republic of China in active service}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Li, Shangfu}} [[Category:1958 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People's Liberation Army generals from Sichuan]] [[Category:People from Chengdu]] [[Category:Members of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]] [[Category:Members of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]] [[Category:National University of Defense Technology alumni]] [[Category:Chinese aerospace engineers]] [[Category:Engineers from Sichuan]] [[Category:State councillors of China]] [[Category:Ministers of National Defense of the People's Republic of China]] [[Category:Chinese individuals subject to U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions]] [[Category:Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]] [[Category:Chongqing University alumni]] [[Category:Delegates to the 13th National People's Congress]] [[Category:Delegates to the 14th National People's Congress]] [[Category:Delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party]]'