BEIJING, October 24. /TASS/. Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed a decree to dismiss Defense Minister Li Shangfu, China’s central television has said.

Presidential decree No. 14 says Li has been removed from the posts of a member of the State Council of the People's Republic of China and Minister of National Defense in accordance with a decision made during the sixth session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on October 24, 2023, the broadcaster said. The appointment of a new minister has not yet been announced.

Last time Li appeared in public on August 29 to address the 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing. The Financial Times quoted sources as saying that Li may have been suspended and was being investigated. Chinese Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry officials said they were unaware of the situation.

Li was absent from the reception on the occasion of the main public holiday - China’s National Day, which is celebrated on October 1. His predecessor, former Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe (in office 2018-2023), was also absent.

Earlier, Hong Kong's daily South China Morning Post quoted sources as saying that Liu Zhenli, the chief of the Joint Staff of China's Central Military Council, could be appointed defense minister.