China expels 2 former defense ministers from its ruling Communist Party over graft allegations

BEIJING (AP) — Chin has expelled two former defense ministers from the ruling Communist Party over accusations of corruption that are likely to lead to sentences of life in prison. The Defense Ministry on Thursday said Li Shangfu abused his authority to enrich himself by taking bribes in exchange for granting favors. Li’s predecessor, Wei Fenghe, was also accused on similar charges. Such charges have been leveled in the past against numerous military leaders under President Xi Jinping, who also heads the armed forces as chairman of the Central Military Commission and has made a crackdown on corruption a hallmark of his rule since taking power more than a decade ago.