Clarity can help clear air over why Beijing sacked two ministers
- Within a few months of their appointments, two important Chinese faces to the world, Qin Gang and Li Shangfu, were gone and no one seems to know why
China’s removal of its defence minister, following the replacement of its foreign minister, has attracted global attention. The circumstances are unprecedented.
Within a few months of their appointments, two members of the State Council, in senior cabinet positions, were brought down without explanation. The most likely reason is seen to be corruption.
Though both were important ministers, they were not the equals of counterparts in other governing systems. They were responsible for implementing defence and foreign policies, but not setting them.
Nonetheless the suddenness and nature of their downfall has shocked most observers.
Former foreign minister Qin Gang was replaced in July but remained a member of the State Council until this week’s announcement, which also removed Li Shangfu from all positions as defence minister, member of the Central Military Commission and state councillor.
This may not signal any major change in policy direction, but it inevitably raises questions about the political challenges facing China under one-party rule.
It is clear President Xi Jinping sees the way forward as concentrating power at the top, reinforcing party discipline and a sense of purpose. But the question is how to keep the party and its members focused on the right mission and goals.
Discipline becomes very important – a consistent message from Xi over the past 10 years.
Li and Qin are supposed to have passed rigorous screening. This process may have initially been flawed, but the ultimate outcome shows no one is safe from exposure of misconduct or corruption.
A popular narrative among Western observers is some kind of power struggle between rivals. In this case, however, both ministers were seen as from Xi’s camp.
The Chinese authorities could have handled the cases with kid gloves if face-saving were their main concern. Instead, Xi and the leadership chose to play it by the book, removing Li from all his positions in one swoop and taking the short-term hit to the government’s image.
This serves to demonstrate that maintaining party discipline and fighting corruption are more important to Xi and the top leadership than personal feelings or ties. Beijing can say this is a domestic affair and present it in any way it likes.
But there is still a case to be made out for providing more information and clarity. After all, China is now a global player.
Li Shangfu’s dismissal as defence chief came with no details, but a few clues
Qin and Li were two of the most important external faces of China. If their downfall is simply a matter of breaching discipline, rules or laws the world would understand. Nothing is achieved by being secretive.
More clarity can help clear the air and would be positive for trust in the system, including among the Chinese people.
