China has launched a formal investigation into Defense Minister Gen. Lee Shang-fu and former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Taiwan’s intelligence chief announced Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation after they abruptly disappeared from public view over the summer. We confirmed that there was an anonymous report. .
Mr. Qin faces a disciplinary investigation related to an alleged “sex scandal,” while Mr. Li is under investigation for corruption charges from five years ago, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau director Tsai Min-yen told lawmakers in Taipei. said the following: For the first time, the government publicly acknowledged their fate.
Mr. Hata served as foreign minister for only seven months before being dismissed in July with a single government notice. Lee was promoted to defense secretary in March, but he has not been seen in public since late August. Both men were promoted to top posts as close aides to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Qin, who is listed on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website as “married and has a son,” is said to have had an affair with a reporter for Chinese state media, who later served him as a surrogate mother in the United States. gave birth to a child.
Tsai told members of Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Commission that the Chinese government’s case against Qin was aimed at determining “whether any secrets were leaked in the course of the scandal.”
Tsai said the corruption investigation into Li dates back to October 2017, when Li began his role as head of the Central Military Commission’s equipment development department. Li was tasked with procuring advanced weapons and equipment for the Chinese military.
Weeks before Mr. Li went missing, Mr. Xi replaced two leaders of China’s military rocket unit. Their responsibilities include the country’s possession of nuclear weapons. Their dismissals followed a speech in which Mr. Xi called for more disciplined governance.
Asked why China would retroactively investigate Li, a “handpicked” Xi Jinping supporter, Taiwan’s spy chief said the Communist Party’s large investments in arms deals overseen by Li’s office were pointed out.
“Any corruption within the organization will definitely affect the future development of the force,” Tsai said.
Tsai said she could not discuss the department’s sources, and the department did not elaborate on the director’s remarks when reached by phone Thursday.
Bryce Barros, an independent China analyst based in Washington, D.C., said, “Over the past decade, the Taiwanese government’s assessment of the People’s Republic of China’s political and military developments has received positive responses from U.S. government agencies and officials.” “I have collected the following,” he said.
U.S. government agencies and officials also said they would verify the claims through their own sources and methods.
Both Mr. Qin and Mr. Li will remain State Councilors, or senior members of the central government.
Alexander Huang, director of international affairs for Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, said the Chinese government’s move against Mr. Lee and the Rocket Force officers was likely “a corrective campaign calling for strict discipline.”
The Chinese government has not provided an official explanation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.
Barros said, “If confirmed, the situation facing Qin Gang and Li Shangfu would be a sign that corruption and internal politics within the Chinese Communist Party would lead to a democratic system that selects and promotes officials based on ability and merit.” “It shows that they are at a disadvantage compared to the political system.”
The dismissal of up to two Chinese officials in such a short period of time raises questions about the stability of the military ranks as China rapidly expands its hard power.
The issue was reportedly so sensitive that White House officials reportedly suppressed the social media activity of U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who regularly pokes fun at China’s growing list of missing ministers. reportedly tried to do so. Mr Emanuel denied the allegations.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, finding common ground and finding connections.