The recent removal of China's foreign and defense ministers is seen as a means to reinforce President Xi Jinping's call for unwavering loyalty and the elimination of any potential challengers within the ruling Communist Party, say analysts.
State media confirmed that General Li Shangfu, former defense minister, and Qin Gang, former foreign minister, were no longer in their positions but provided no further details.
The opaque nature of China's one-party authoritarian system has given rise to extensive speculation regarding the reasons behind the officials' departure and whether they will face legal consequences. Both Li and Qin were appointed during Xi's leadership, which suggests they underwent thorough scrutiny but later faced questions about their personal conduct or political affiliations.
June Teufel Dreyer, a Chinese politics expert, suggests that the reshuffling could be seen as a manifestation of Xi's vulnerability rather than his strength.
Xi's decision to remove his own powerful appointees represents a break from tradition and further consolidates the entire Communist Party under what Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, refers to as the "Xi faction."
The circumstances surrounding the fates of Li and Qin remain shrouded in mystery. Qin was removed from office in July amid speculation that he had breached an unwritten code of ethics commonly used as a pretext for political infighting.
Li, who became defense minister during a Cabinet reshuffle in March and embarked on a visit to Moscow to bolster China's support of Russia, has not been seen since delivering a speech on August 29.
The removal of Li and Qin is unlikely to signify a shift in China's foreign or defense policies, which aim to build alliances in opposition to the U.S.-led liberal democratic world order.
Meia Nouwens, a China expert with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggests that Li's removal likely stems from various factors, including an anti-corruption probe related to the equipment development department dating back to 2017.
Nouwens points out the dual nature of this development, illustrating both weakness in Xi's inner circle and his capacity to make swift, decisive decisions.
Xi, known for prioritizing loyalty and battling corruption, often uses such efforts to eliminate political rivals and reinforce his position, particularly amid economic challenges and rising tensions with the U.S.
Li is subject to U.S. sanctions tied to weapons purchases from Russia, barring him from entering the country. China has severed contact with the U.S. military as a form of protest over arms sales to Taiwan, suggesting that Washington must lift sanctions against Li, which Beijing does not publicly acknowledge.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV recently announced the appointment of a new finance minister and science and technology ministers.
The opacity of China's political and legal systems fuels discussions about potential corruption, personal issues, or disagreements with influential figures that may lead to the downfall of top officials.
China's ruling party faces challenges in reviving an economy affected by stringent "zero COVID" measures, an aging population, high graduate unemployment, and a significant number of its wealthiest and most educated individuals emigrating to more liberal societies abroad.
With Xi Jinping's Thought enshrined in the party constitution and the removal of presidential term limits, Xi has positioned the system to potentially extend his rule for life. At the age of 70, he also heads the committees overseeing the People's Liberation Army, the world's largest active-duty military force with over 2 million personnel.
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