Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was fired on Tuesday, becoming the second high-profile minister to lose his job without official reasons.

His removal marks two months after he disappeared from public view. State broadcaster CCTV reported Tuesday that Li was also removed from his position as a member of the Central Military Commission — a powerful armed forces body led by Chinese President Xi Jinping — and as one of China's five state councilors — a senior cabinet position outranking a typical minister.

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The announcement comes after it was confirmed that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Washington, D.C., and meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken from Thursday to Saturday.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.