China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu attends the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 2, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo Acquire L

U.S. diplomat questions whether Chinese defence minister is under 'house arrest'

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2023-09-15 07:00:03

China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu attends the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 2, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

BEIJING/TOKYO, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Japan questioned in a social media post on Friday whether China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu had been placed under house arrest, adding to confusion about the state councillor's more than two week absence from public view.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rahm Emanuel wrote: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. 2nd: He was a no-show for his trip to Vietnam. Now: He’s absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy because he was placed on house arrest???"

China's foreign and defence ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. embassy in Tokyo said it did not immediately have further comment.