China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu's absence from the public is strengthening the speculation of him being under scrutiny over corruption charges. He was appointed to this post in March this year. Before this, Li Shangfu was head of the CMC's Equipment Development Department and was in charge of weapon procurement in 2017. He was sanctioned by the US in 2018 after China bought Russian weapons. He was due to attend a meeting in Vietnam from 7th to 8th September, but was pulled back from the meeting on the grounds of health conditions.