China appoints U.S.-sanctioned general as defense minister

Reflecting the tense relationship that currently exists between Washington and Beijing, the Chinese government appointed Li Shangfu, a member of the US blacklist accused of buying weapons from Russia, as defense minister.Last Friday, Xi Jinping obtained the renewal of his mandate for a total of five years – 2023 to 2028 – with 2952 votes in favor, none against and no abstentions in the National People’s Congress (ANP), and thus perpetuated its power thanks to the amendment approved in 2018, which eliminated the limit of two consecutive terms for presidents. In addition, last October he was re-elected as general secretary and head of the army with full control of the Communist Party (CCP) in parliament. With this scenario, Xi appointed Li, his right-hand man, as defense minister in an action that undoubtedly affects his relationship with the United States. It was in 2018, when he headed the Equipment Development Department (EDD), that the new minister received a sanction from the US government for the purchase of weapons from the Russian company Rosoboronexport.In that episode, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the measure and detailed the purchase of Su-35 fighter jets in 2017 and equipment for S-400 anti-aircraft projectile systems a year later. For its part, from the company justified the action arguing that Russia “is a strategic cooperation partner” of Beijing.La election of the Minister of Defense occurs amid a strong tension in diplomatic relations due to the recent downing of a Chinese balloon off the coast of California, which according to the Chinese government was conducting meteorological studies, while from the White House they assured that it collected information.

Original source in Spanish