China sentences former defence ministers Wei Fenghe, Li Shangfu to death with reprieve for graft

[rocket]

China sentences former defence ministers Wei Fenghe, Li Shangfu to death with reprieve for graft​

File photos of former Chinese defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu. (Photos: AFP/Russian Defence Ministry, Roslan Rahman)
07 May 2026 06:22PM (Updated: 07 May 2026 06:38PM)
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BEIJING: Former Chinese defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve over graft charges, state media Xinhua reported on Thursday (May 7).

The two men were expelled from the ruling Communist Party in 2024 for "serious violations of discipline", a euphemism for corruption. A death sentence with reprieve in China is typically commuted to life imprisonment if the offender commits no crimes during the period of reprieve.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

 

[Boonsiong]

George Yeo will rescue them

 

[laksaboy]

Nothing to do with graft, Winnie is very superstitious about a military coup against himself.

 

[Hightech88]

Flashback to 2023 when he visited Singapore and given full VIP treatment LOL:

https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/01jun23_nr/

China Defence Minister Makes Introductory Visit to Singapore​

1 June 2023

China State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Li Shangfu (left) meeting Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) earlier today.

China State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Li Shangfu is conducting his introductory visit to Singapore from 1 to 4 June 2023, and attending the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). As part of his visit, GEN Li was welcomed by a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence and co-chaired the second Singapore-China Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) with Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen this morning. Both Ministers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of a Secure Defense Telephone Link, between Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Heng Kee and China People's Liberation Army Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Central Military Commission Lieutenant-General Jing Jianfeng. Both the DMD and the MOU are initiatives under the enhanced Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC) signed in 2019.

During the dialogue, Dr Ng and GEN Li reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening defence cooperation as agreed upon under the enhanced ADESC. Both Ministers also discussed global and regional security issues, and practical ways to strengthen ASEAN-China defence cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.

Under the MOU, both defence establishments will work towards establishing a Secure Defense Telephone Link for high-level communications between our defence leaders. Such high-level open lines of communication are important for strengthening mutual understanding and trust.

As part of his introductory visit, GEN Li will call on Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and will be hosted to dinner by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. GEN Li also visited the Multi-Mission Range Complex at Pasir Laba. For the SLD, GEN Li will speak at a plenary session titled "China's New Security Initiatives" on 4 June 2023.

GEN Li's visit underscores the long-standing, warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and China. Both defence establishments interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges, port calls, as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars.

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Dr Ng (second from right) and GEN Li (second from left) co-chairing the second Singapore-China Defence Ministers' Dialogue.

GEN Li inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF this morning.
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[rocket]

Flashback to 2023 when he visited Singapore and given full VIP treatment LOL:

https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/01jun23_nr/

China Defence Minister Makes Introductory Visit to Singapore​

1 June 2023

China State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Li Shangfu (left) meeting Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) earlier today.

China State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Li Shangfu is conducting his introductory visit to Singapore from 1 to 4 June 2023, and attending the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). As part of his visit, GEN Li was welcomed by a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence and co-chaired the second Singapore-China Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) with Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen this morning. Both Ministers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of a Secure Defense Telephone Link, between Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Heng Kee and China People's Liberation Army Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Central Military Commission Lieutenant-General Jing Jianfeng. Both the DMD and the MOU are initiatives under the enhanced Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC) signed in 2019.

During the dialogue, Dr Ng and GEN Li reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening defence cooperation as agreed upon under the enhanced ADESC. Both Ministers also discussed global and regional security issues, and practical ways to strengthen ASEAN-China defence cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.

Under the MOU, both defence establishments will work towards establishing a Secure Defense Telephone Link for high-level communications between our defence leaders. Such high-level open lines of communication are important for strengthening mutual understanding and trust.

As part of his introductory visit, GEN Li will call on Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and will be hosted to dinner by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. GEN Li also visited the Multi-Mission Range Complex at Pasir Laba. For the SLD, GEN Li will speak at a plenary session titled "China's New Security Initiatives" on 4 June 2023.

GEN Li's visit underscores the long-standing, warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and China. Both defence establishments interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges, port calls, as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars.

---

Dr Ng (second from right) and GEN Li (second from left) co-chairing the second Singapore-China Defence Ministers' Dialogue.

GEN Li inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF this morning.
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No wonder i find him familiar

 

[Hightech88]

Why the Sentences Were Handed Down​

Former Chinese Defense Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve after being convicted on graft charges (specifically bribery) by a military court in China .

• Wei Fenghe: Served as Defense Minister from 2018 to 2023. He was convicted of accepting bribes .
• Li Shangfu: Served as Defense Minister in 2023. He was convicted of both accepting and offering bribes .

According to state media reports, the court found that the nature of their crimes was "extremely serious" and caused "exceptionally detrimental harm" to the military and the Chinese Communist Party . As part of their sentences, both men were also stripped of their political rights for life, and all of their personal property was confiscated .

What is a 'Two-Year Reprieve'?​

In the Chinese legal system, a "death sentence with a two-year reprieve" (also known as a suspended death sentence) is a distinct punishment reserved for offenders who have committed extremely serious crimes, but where the immediate execution of the death penalty is not deemed necessary .

Here is how the process works for a standard death sentence with reprieve:

1. Probation Period: The execution is suspended for a period of two years .
2. Standard Commutation: If the convicted person commits no further intentional crimes during these two years, the sentence is automatically commuted to life imprisonment at the end of the reprieve period .
3. Possible Commutation for Merit: If the individual shows "major meritorious performance" during the two-year period, the sentence can be further reduced to a fixed-term imprisonment of 25 years .

However, in the specific case of Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, a special provision has been applied. According to the official court ruling cited by Xinhua News Agency, after their sentences are commuted to life imprisonment (upon expiration of the two-year reprieve), there will be "no further commutation or parole" . This means that once their sentence is reduced to life in prison, they will spend the rest of their lives behind bars with no possibility of early release .

It is also worth noting that the death penalty is generally not imposed on individuals over the age of 75 at the time of trial, except under specific aggravating circumstances. Information regarding the current age of the convicted individuals was not detailed in the search results, but they are career military officers who rose through the ranks over several decades .
----------- Source: Deepseek AI

 

[Tree]

They come Singapore got go to casinos to gamble?

 

[batman1]

They come Singapore got go to casinos to gamble?

Maybe in private rooms.555

 

[eatshitndie]

how to commit further crimes of graft and corruption during the 2-year reprieve under detention and scrutiny unless they play masak masak “i still your underwear, you steal mine” with prison guards? ccp truly has many dark but laughable jokes to pull on their political victims.

 

[laksaboy]

Nothing to do with graft or any other petty crimes, it's all about eliminating anyone Winnie believes is even a little bit disloyal to him. He is very paranoid now about becoming the next Maduro, or worse.

 

[syed putra]

Execute by hanging, shooting, electrocution, gas or burn alive?

 

[eatshitndie]

Execute by hanging, shooting, electrocution, gas or burn alive?

they will most likely join bo xilai in the life imprisonment cells, waiting for regime change so as to be forgiven and released at old age like many ccp officials have been through.

 

[glockman]

Who bribed them? US? Singapore?

 

[syed putra]

Nothing to do with graft or any other petty crimes, it's all about eliminating anyone Winnie believes is even a little bit disloyal to him. He is very paranoid now about becoming the next Maduro, or worse.