China's Missing Leaders Bring War In South China Sea Closer --- Newsweek

When a high-profile official vanishes, it's concerning. But when three disappear, it feels like a systematic cleansing. What's the endgame here? Saman Rizwan, a Singapore-trained analyst, wrote for Newsweek.

China analysts are on edge, grappling with this question as China's defense minister, Li Shiangfu, remains AWOL I Photo: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

China analysts are on edge, grappling with this question as China's defense minister, Li Shiangfu, remains AWOL, joining the ranks of Qin Gang, China's foreign minister, and General Li Yuchao, the head of China's nuclear missile forces.

Shiangfu's disappearance adds a layer of volatility to China's military and foreign policy landscape, especially given his close ties to Xi Jinping and his control over one of the world's most formidable military machines.

It seems the risk of the US getting pulled into a battle in the South Pacific, where China has been flexing its muscles and beefing up its military presence, is increasing each day.

In 2022, Xi made it clear that China should be battle-ready and capable of "fighting and winning wars" by 2049. But many of China's neighbors are thinking that Beijing could meet its goals far sooner.

The disappearance of these senior officials throws a spanner into the delicate gears of diplomacy, and it could be a sign that Xi is preparing for a confrontation.

While the official word is that the latest disappearance was due to an extramarital affair, many believe the root cause is corruption.

Allegations of fraud and corruption often serve as convenient pretexts for authoritarian regimes to dismantle the opposition, as we've seen with Russia's crackdown on civil society and opposition figures, such as Alexey Navalny.

And let's not kid ourselves; corruption is a real headache for China, especially in its military ranks.

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