Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who has not appeared in public for more than two weekshas been investigated by Chinese authorities, according to sources cited by Reuters.

Research is related with the supply of military equipment while eight senior officials of the Chinese military procurement unit, which Li led from 2017 to 2022, are also under investigation.

The investigation into Lee, who was appointed defense minister in March, and the eight officials is being conducted by the military’s disciplinary inspection commission.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman denied any knowledge of the matter. Also, according to Reuters, the State Council and the Ministry of Defense did not respond to requests for comment.

The Financial Times they said on Friday, citing US officials, that the US government believes Lee is under investigation. The Wall Street Journal cited a person close to decision-making centers in Beijing as saying that Li had been transferred last week for questioning.