China appoints US-sanctioned Li Shangfu as new defence minister

China on Sunday named General Li Shangfu, who is subject to US sanctions, as its new defense minister. The US imposed sanctions on Li in 2018, making his appointment controversial at a time when it is difficult for Beijing and Washington to maintain an unstrained relationship, a report mentioned. 

Li Shangfu is an aerospace expert who was unanimously elected to a post in China's parliament by the National People's Congress to replace outgoing Defense Minister Wei Fenghe.

In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump's administration imposed sanctions on Li for purchasing Russian weapons, including Su-35 fighter jets and other equipment related to the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, the report said. Experts said the appointment will be closely watched by Washington given Li's background, although the post is seen as largely diplomatic and ceremonial.

In 2016, Li was appointed deputy commander of the then-new PLA Strategic Support Force, an elite body tasked with accelerating the development of China's space and cyber warfare capabilities. He was then appointed head of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China's defense governing body headed by President Xi. His appointment was one of a series confirmed by China's National People's Congress at its meeting on Sunday. Other senior posts included four new vice premiers — Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing and Liu Guozhong, CNN reported.

Following their nomination by new Premier Li Qiang, the four will serve as vice-chairmen of the State Council, the body responsible for reviving China's economy after three years of strict restrictions with zero cases of Covid-19. The latest appointment is part of a major cabinet reshuffle by Xi Jinping, who has been formally given an unprecedented third term as president.