China appoints new defense minister after sudden removal of predecessor

Former naval commander Dong Jun has been appointed as China's new defense minister, replacing Li Shangfu who was removed from the role two months ago without explanation. The announcement was made by the top body of China's rubber stamp legislature following their final session for the year, reported Chinese state media Xinhua.

Since 2021, Dong has been serving as the top commander of the Chinese navy, finally ending months of speculation about when Beijing would fill the role left vacant after Li's removal in October. Li, who was appointed defense minister in March, has not been seen in public since late August, leading to intense speculation about his fate.

The sudden disappearance of Li came after a string of mysterious personnel changes that have caused upheaval in the country's highest ranks. This includes the dramatic removal of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July and the unexplained removal of two leaders from the PLAs Rocket Force.

Prior to Li's disappearance, Xi had called a meeting of the military's top leaders in Beijing, where he stressed the importance of political loyalty, discipline, and the party's "absolute leadership" over the armed forces.

On Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, a member of the Philippine Coast Guard observes a China Coast Guard ship as it conducts a resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal in the contested South China Sea. The shoal is claimed by both China and the Philippines, with three other neighboring countries also laying claim to the larger Spratly Islands chain in which it is located. Photographer: Lisa Marie David/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Lisa Marie David/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Are Chinas actions in the South China Sea a harbinger of things to come for Taiwan?

The Chinese government has refused to comment on Li's whereabouts and the reasons for his absence, and the announcement on Friday did not offer any additional details besides Dong's appointment. According to The Wall Street Journal, Li was reportedly taken away by authorities in September for questioning, as stated by a person familiar with decision making in Beijing.

The US government believes the defense minister is under investigation, according to The Financial Times, citing American officials. Neither report cited a reason for the investigation.

Dong, the new minister, assumed the position of top commander of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in 2021. Former submarine commander Hu Zhongming was named to that role on Monday during a ceremony promoting him to admiral.

Before assuming leadership of the navy, Dong held the position of deputy commander at the PLAs Southern Theatre Command, responsible for operations in the South China Sea.

In China, the defense minister serves primarily as a figurehead for military diplomacy, with command authority residing with the Central Military Commission, in contrast to the US defense secretary and other international counterparts.

This is the developing story. More to come.

CNNs Mengchen Zhang and Wayne Chang contributed to this report.