China's Ministry of Defense was 65-year-old General Li Shangfu. He was chosen by a unanimous decision and replaced Wei Fenghe, who retired, the national portal "Adyrna" reported.
In 2018, Lee was placed on the US sanctions list for his involvement in a deal to buy China Su-35 warplanes and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia's Rosoboronexport. At that time, he served as the director of the equipment development department of the high military commission responsible for China's defense technology.
According to the US State Department, the sanctions were imposed "to legislate in response to Russia's interference in the United States election process, its unacceptable actions in eastern Ukraine, and other malign actions." Sanctions imposed on Lee include a ban on currency transactions in US jurisdiction, a ban on transactions with the country's financial system and a freeze on all his US assets. He also cannot get an American visa.
Before that, Li also led the launch of China's first lunar probe at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. During his tenure, the PRC launched its first anti-satellite missile.
Bloomberg notes that Li's appointment as defense minister reflects Beijing's growing interest in aerospace technology.
