Li Shangfu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Li Shangfu
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李尚福
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Li in 2023
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| State Councilor of China | |
| In office 12 March 2023 – 24 October 2023 Serving with Wang Xiaohong, Wu Zhenglong, Shen Yiqin, and Qin Gang
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| Premier | Li Qiang |
| 13th Minister of National Defense | |
| In office 12 March 2023 – 24 October 2023 |
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| Premier | Li Qiang |
| CMC Chairman | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Wei Fenghe |
| Succeeded by | Dong Jun |
| Head of the Equipment Development Department | |
| In office September 2017 – October 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Zhang Youxia |
| Succeeded by | Xu Xueqiang |
| Commander of the China Manned Space Program | |
| In office September 2017 – October 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Zhang Youxia |
| Succeeded by | Xu Xueqiang |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1958 (age 67) Chengdu, Sichuan, China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party (1980–2024; expelled) |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  People's Republic of China |
| Branch/service |  People's Liberation Army Ground Force People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force |
| Years of service | 1982–2024 |
| Rank |  General(stripped in 2024) |
Li Shangfu (Chinese: 李尚福; pinyin: Lǐ Shàngfú; born February 1958) is a Chinese expert in space technology and a former military leader. He was the 13th Minister of National Defense and a State Councilor for China. He held these important roles from March to October 2023.
Li joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1982. He started as a technician at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. He worked there for 31 years, including 10 years as the center's director. Later, he became a top leader in departments that handle military equipment and space programs.
In July 2019, he was given the rank of General. In October 2022, he became a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC). This is a very high-level group that leads China's military. In March 2023, he was appointed Minister of National Defense and State Councilor.
In August 2023, Li was no longer seen in public. He was removed from his positions on October 24, 2023. He served the shortest time as Minister of National Defense. In June 2024, he was removed from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and lost his General rank. This happened because of serious issues related to his conduct.
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Who is Li Shangfu?
Li Shangfu is a notable figure in China's military and space programs. He has held many important roles, especially in developing new military technology and managing space missions. His career shows how China has grown in these areas.
Early Life and Education
Li Shangfu was born in February 1958 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. His family originally came from Xingguo County in Jiangxi Province. His father, Li Shaozhu, was a veteran of the Red Army and a high-ranking officer in the military's railway forces.
Li joined the PLA in 1978 when he started studying at the National University of Defense Technology. He became a member of the Chinese Communist Party in June 1980. After finishing his studies in 1982, he began his work as a technician at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. He also earned a special engineering degree from Chongqing University.
A Career in Space and Defense
Li Shangfu spent a large part of his career working on China's space programs. His work helped launch many important rockets and satellites. He then moved into leadership roles within the military's equipment and support departments.
Leading Space Missions
In December 2003, Li became the Director (Commander) of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. He was 45 years old at the time. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of major general. During his ten years as director, Li oversaw many rocket launches. This included the launch of the Chang'e 2 lunar probe in October 2010, which was a big step for China's space exploration.
Roles in the Military's Top Ranks
After 31 years at the Xichang center, Li moved to a new role in 2013. He became the Chief of Staff for the PLA General Armaments Department (GAD). A year later, he was made a deputy director of the GAD.
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In 2016, Li was appointed Deputy Commander of the new People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force. This force focuses on high-tech warfare, including cyberspace and space operations. He was promoted to lieutenant general in the same year. In September 2017, Li became the Director of the Equipment Development Department of the CMC. This department is in charge of developing military equipment.
In October 2017, Li was chosen to be a member of the 19th CCP Central Committee. He received the rank of major general in July 2006, lieutenant general in August 2016, and general in July 2019.
Important Meetings and Diplomacy
In October 2022, Li was chosen as a member of the 20th CMC by China's leader, Xi Jinping. He was ranked as one of the most important members of the CMC. On March 12, 2023, he was appointed State Councilor and Minister of National Defense. This was seen as a sign that China wanted to focus more on aerospace technology in its defense plans.
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Li made his first trip overseas as Defense Minister to Russia on April 17, 2023. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He said that the relationship between China and Russia was stronger than old military alliances. On April 28, he met with Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. This was the first visit by a Chinese Defense Minister to India since border issues in 2020.
In June 2023, Li spoke at a security meeting in Singapore. He said that a war between the United States and China would be a terrible disaster. He stressed that both countries needed to find more common ground.
Changes in His Role
In September 2023, news reports suggested that Li was being investigated. His absence from public events was noticed by officials. On October 24, 2023, he was officially removed from his positions as State Councilor and Minister of National Defense. He was also removed from the CMC.
Li served as Minister of National Defense for only seven months, making him the shortest-serving minister in that role for the People's Republic of China. His last public appearance was on August 29, 2023. On June 27, 2024, it was announced that Li had been removed from the Chinese Communist Party. This was due to serious issues with his conduct, including accepting and offering money. He also lost his rank of General.
International Relations and Sanctions
Li Shangfu and the Equipment Development Department faced actions from the U.S. government. These actions were related to China's purchase of military equipment from Russia.
US Sanctions Explained
On September 20, 2018, the U.S. government placed sanctions on Li Shangfu and the Equipment Development Department. This happened because they were involved in buying military aircraft and missile systems from Russia. These purchases were seen as going against certain U.S. laws.
Because of these sanctions, Li was put on a special list. This meant that while he could still have official meetings with U.S. officials, the sanctions themselves would not be removed. In May 2023, there was some discussion about lifting the sanctions, but U.S. officials later confirmed they were not planning to do so.
See also
In Spanish: Li Shangfu para niños
