Ajit Karn
Aerospace expert Li Shangfu was unanimously chosen by the country’s rubber stamp parliament, the National People’s Congress, to replace Wei Fenghe as defence chief.
In 2018, the administration of former US President Donald Trump sanctioned Li for purchasing Russian weapons, including 10 Su-35 combat aircraft and S-400 surface-to-air missile system-related equipment.
Given Li’s background, Washington is expected to closely monitor the appointment, even though the position is largely diplomatic and ceremonial.
In 2016, Li Shangfu was appointed as the deputy commander of the PLA’s then-new Strategic Support Force, an elite organisation tasked with accelerating the development of China’s space and cyber warfare capabilities.
Then, President Xi appointed him head of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s governing defence body.
During a Sunday session, the National People’s Congress of China confirmed a number of appointments, including his. Four new vice premiers were also appointed: Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, and Liu Guozhong.
After their nomination by the new premier Li Qiang, all four will serve as vice premiers on the State Council, the body charged with reviving China’s economy after three years of strict zero-Covid restrictions.
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The most recent appointment is part of a major cabinet reshuffle by President Xi Jinping, who was granted an unprecedented third term.
