China on Tuesday removed defence minister Li Shangfu and ousted former foreign minister Qin Gang from its cabinet, state media reported, as part of a major reshuffle of its top leadership. “According to the sixth meeting of the standing committee of the People’s Republic of China’s 14th National People’s Congress, it was decided on October 24, 2023… to remove Li Shangfu from the positions of State Council member and Minister of Defence,” state broadcaster CCTV said, adding that Qin had also been removed from his position on the State Council.