China removes Defence Minister General Li Shangfu

China has removed its defence minister General Li Shangfu, the second ousting of a senior leader in three months, raising questions about the stability of the leadership team around Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

According to state media, General Li Shangfu, who



has been absent from public view for two months, was dismissed as defence minister and state councillor. China also announced that Qin Gang, who was removed as foreign minister in July, was stripped of his state councillor position.