China Continues Shaking Up , Leadership With Ousting of , Missing Defense Minister.<br />On October 24, China announced the removal of <br />General Li Shangfu as the nation's defense minister.<br />NBC reports that Li becomes the latest senior<br />leader to be ousted after disappearing <br />from public view with little to no explanation.<br />According to state broadcaster CCTV, Li was stripped <br />of his title as a state councilor on October 24, <br />along with former foreign minister Qin Gang. .<br />According to state broadcaster CCTV, Li was stripped <br />of his title as a state councilor on October 24, <br />along with former foreign minister Qin Gang. .<br />Li's ousting comes almost two months <br />after his absence was noted and became <br />the subject of widespread speculation.<br />NBC reports that the news also follows recent <br />turmoil at the head of China's nuclear forces, with <br />two generals being removed after not being seen <br />in public for months. .<br />NBC reports that the news also follows recent <br />turmoil at the head of China's nuclear forces, with <br />two generals being removed after not being seen <br />in public for months. .<br />Former defense minister Li has not <br />been seen in public since August 29, <br />just months after taking office in March. .<br />The decision to remove Li came following <br />a vote by top lawmakers in China, the Standing <br />Committee of the National People’s Congress.<br />The committee reportedly also opted <br />to leave Li's position as defense minister vacant, <br />which served a mostly ceremonial role.<br />NBC reports that Li, an aerospace engineer and <br />military general, was a high-profile member of the <br />Chinese government prior to his disappearance. .<br />While western media has speculated that Li <br />was under investigation for corruption, <br />no explanation has been given for his removal.
