China’s defense minister has been “missing” for more than two weeks amid silence from the Chinese government

he Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu He has not been seen in public for more than two weeks, raising questions about his whereabouts and status, which is reminiscent of the situation at the time. Former Foreign Minister Qin Gang He disappeared from public life in July last year and was fired without explanation.

The last public appearance was for Lee, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government since 2018 for purchasing weapons from Russia. China-Africa Security Forum The meeting took place on August 29, shortly after he visited Moscow and Minsk to meet with senior Russian and Belarusian officials.

According to the newspaper economical time, American sources believe the Chinese envoy, who is under house arrest, is the subject of an investigation, the nature of which is unclear.

of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mao Ning When asked about the minister’s situation and information from British newspapers, the minister today insisted he was “not aware”.

he Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Tokyo; He declared on social networks that

Mr Lee still appears on the Ministry of Defense website and his name has recently been mentioned on social media in the Asian country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website deleted most of the information about Mr. Hata Go, whose dismissal had already been confirmed at the end of July last year, a month after his disappearance.

Mr. Qin, a former Chinese ambassador to the United States, was promoted in December last year, but after months of frenzied activities following the opening of the country, he made no public appearance on June 25 once the “zero coronavirus” policy was decided. lost.

he Chinese Communist Party (CCP) His dismissal without any explanation sparked speculation about his fall from office, ranging from health problems to allegations of an affair with a TV host to a political purge after months of internal party fighting. Ta.

Lee’s absence comes about a month after the two generals were dismissed. People’s Liberation Army (PLA, Chinese Army) Rocket Force, No explanation given.