The rapid dismissal of two of China's top ministers will lead Beijing to more closely enforce discipline, and the empowerment of the Chinese Communist Party over the state could harm China's efforts at economic recovery, mending fences with the West and military modernization. The National People's Congress Standing Committee announced on Oct. 24 that Li Shangfu had been dismissed as China's defense minister. The announcement follows Qin Gang's dismissal as foreign minister in July, and both Li and Qin have been removed from their higher posts as state councilors. The Party's foreign policy chief (and former foreign minister) Wang Yi replaced Qin on July 25, but Beijing has not yet named a replacement for Li. During the months prior to each dismissal, the Party's disciplinary inspection authorities announced investigations into Li and Qin for corruption and misconduct, and both officials were largely absent from public view. Likewise, China's military leaders...
