Xi sacks defense min, 2nd from inner circle

TAIPEI (TAIWAN): China has replaced Defence Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, who has been out of public view for almost two months with little explanation, state media reported.

Li is the second senior Chinese official to disappear this year, following former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was removed from office in July with no explanation offered. Li hasn’t been seen since giving a speech on August 29.

There is no indication that the disappearances of Qin and Li signal a change in China’s foreign or defence policies, although they have raised questions about the resilience of president and ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinping’s circle of power.