China has expelled 9 military officials from its parliament, including 4 generals from the unit responsible for strategic missiles, in a major reshuffle following the appointment of a new Minister of Defense on Friday. The reasons for this decision, announced by Xinhua News Agency on Friday evening after a session of the ruling Communist Party's Central Committee, have not been explained at this stage.
It appears that top positions in the Chinese military have been undergoing restructuring since the last public appearance of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu in late August. Li was appointed Minister of Defense in March and was subsequently dismissed.
China appointed Dong Jun as the new Minister of Defense on Friday, who had previously led the Navy until earlier this week, ending months of vacancy in this strategic role. This appointment follows a change at the head of the unit responsible for strategic missiles in the Chinese military, particularly nuclear ones.
The Sino Insider center, specializing in Chinese politics and based in the U.S., noted that the expulsion "suggests they are under investigation and confirms some circulating rumors on the subject." Analyst Lyle Morris from the U.S.-based Asia Society indicated that there was a "connection between these individuals and Li Shangfu."
