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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
World

US-sanctioned general to become public face of China's growing military

Li Shangfu China PLA United States Xi Jinping Zhang Youxia Oriana Skylar Mastro Russia Hong Kong The United States
FILE PHOTO: General Li Shangfu (right) swears an oath with fellow Central Military Commission member He Weidong (left) and Zhang Youxia (centre), newly-elected Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China, after they were elected during the fourth plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2023. (Reuters)

HONG KONG: General Li Shangfu, named on Sunday as China's new defence minister, is a veteran of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) modernisation effort - a drive that led the United States to sanction him over the acquisition of weapons from Russia.

Although his new post within the Chinese system is viewed as largely diplomatic and ceremonial, Li's appointment is being closely watched given his background, regional diplomats say.

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