An American diplomat has questioned the absence of China’s defence minister Li Shangfu, renewing speculation about a corruption purge.

There have been no public appearances by General Li for about two weeks, and he has missed several meetings as well.

The US envoy to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, speculated on Mr Li’s absence, tweeting that the Chinese government has a very high “unemployment rate.”

A number of top military officials have recently been axed, leading to Mr Li’s absence.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Li will be removed from office, citing sources in the US and China.

Furthermore, it comes months after foreign minister Qin Gang disappeared from public view. In July, Mr Qin suddenly departed and was replaced.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman was reported to have said earlier this week that she was “unaware of the situation”.

His last public appearance was three weeks ago in Beijing at a security forum with African nations. The absence of a defence minister from the public eye is not uncommon.

Since starting his career at a satellite and rocket launch center, Gen Li has risen steadily through the ranks of the Chinese military and political elite.

As with Mr Qin, he is regarded as a favorite of President Xi Jinping. After Mr Qin, he is the second cabinet minister and state councillor to go missing in recent months.

When Gen Li refused to meet US counterpart Lloyd Austin at this year’s Singapore defence summit, the sanctions were thought to be a sticking point.