Title: Former Chinese Defense Minister Excluded from Communist Party Over Corruption Charges

Former Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been expelled from the Communist Party after being removed from his position last year without prior notice, according to Chinese media reports. His dismissal came seven months after he took over the defense portfolio, following a restructuring of the unit responsible for strategic missiles, particularly nuclear ones, in the Chinese military. Authorities announced a new direction for this unit last year without providing further details. Foreign media have reported an investigation into corruption allegations against Li Shangfu, who was the head of this unit before assuming the defense role. The state television channel "CCTV," referencing a decision from the ruling Communist Party's Political Bureau, stated that Li Shangfu "caused significant harm to the party's cause, national defense, and the development of the armed forces, in addition to tarnishing the image of senior officials."