China has officially named former naval commander Admiral Dong Jun as its new defense minister, bringing an end to months of speculation and uncertainty surrounding the position. Dong’s appointment comes four months after the mysterious removal of his predecessor, Li Shangfu, who had been absent from public view since late August 29.

The announcement was made by the top body of China’s rubber-stamp legislature following their final session for the year, as reported by Chinese state media Xinhua. Dong Jun, who had served as the top commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy since 2021, is set to take over the crucial role of defense minister, providing a resolution to the void left by Li’s removal in October.

Li Shangfu, who had been appointed defense minister in March, had not been seen in public since his disappearance in late August. The lack of information surrounding his whereabouts fueled intense speculation, and his removal was part of a series of unexplained personnel changes, including the dramatic ousting of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July and the removal of two leaders from the PLA’s Rocket Force.

Both Li and Qin had been selected earlier in the year by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as part of a strategic reshuffle of key positions, raising questions about governance and party discipline under Xi’s rule.

Xi Jinping’s emphasis on political loyalty, discipline, and the party’s “absolute leadership” over the armed forces during a meeting with the military’s top brass in Beijing weeks before Li’s disappearance added to the mystery surrounding the events.

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The Chinese government has consistently declined to comment on Li Shangfu’s whereabouts and the reasons behind his absence. The appointment of Dong Jun was announced without providing further details.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Li Shangfu was taken away in September by authorities for questioning, according to a source close to decision-making in Beijing. The U.S. government, as reported by the Financial Times, believes the defense minister has been placed under investigation, though no reasons were cited.

Dong Jun, the new defense minister, assumed the role of top commander of the PLA Navy in 2021. His promotion comes as a former submarine commander, Hu Zhongming, was named as his successor during a ceremony promoting him to admiral.

While the defense minister in China holds a largely ceremonial role, serving as the public face of military diplomacy, the appointment of Dong Jun could play a crucial role in facilitating high-level defense dialogues between the U.S. and China. This follows the recent restoration of communication between top U.S. and Chinese generals, ending a year-long silence between senior military officials from both nations.

China’s former minister Li Shangfu had been sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 over China’s purchase of Russian weapons. The Chinese government had previously suggested that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would not secure a meeting with Li unless the sanctions were revoked. Dong Jun’s appointment introduces a new dynamic to this diplomatic landscape, potentially influencing future interactions between the U.S. and China in matters of defense and military diplomacy.