Xu Qiliang
![]() | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2013) ) |
PLA Air Force | |
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In office September 2007 – October 2012 | |
Deputy | He Weirong |
Preceded by | Qiao Qingchen |
Succeeded by | Ma Xiaotian |
Personal details | |
Born | March 1950 PLA National Defence University | (age 74)
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1966–2023 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | Central Military Commission Central Leading Group for Military Reform |
Commands | People's Liberation Army Air Force (2007–2012) Shenyang Military Region Air Force (1999–2004) |
Xu Qiliang (
Biography
Born in Linqu County, Shandong to a peasant's family, he entered the PLA and its Air Force No. 1 aeronautic preparatory school in 1966, learned piloting, and joined the Chinese Communist Party the following year. Later he transferred to the Air Force No. 8 and No. 5 aeronautic schools. He became a pilot after graduation in August 1969.
Xu was promoted to head of the military division in 1983, and vice army corps commander the next year. In 1985, he became chief of staff at the Air Force Shanghai headquarters, and also entered the
In 1999, Xu became the vice commander and Air Force commander of the Shenyang Military Region, and studied at the National Defense University for the 3rd time in 2001. He was elevated to vice chief of staff of the PLA General Staff Department. He was made a full general on June 20, 2007, and became the commander of the PLA Air Force in September of that year. In October 2012, he was China's first career air force officer promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and was succeeded as Air Force Commander by General Ma Xiaotian.
He is also a member of the 19th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. He has been an alternate member of the 14th and 15th Central Committees of the Chinese Communist Party, and a full member of the 16th, 17th, and 18th Central Committees.
In July 2018, Xu met in Beijing with the US Secretary of Defense,
Awards and decorations
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Military ribbons within the People's Republic of China only reflect the wearer's echelon and time in service. Consequently, Xu's ribbon rack, being seven rows high, indicates he is at the Central Military Commission (CMC) level, the gold ribbon with a single star indicates he is a member of the CMC, and the rest of his ribbons indicate his time in service through a combination of one, two, three, and four-year service ribbons totaling forty-six years.[2]
References
- ^ Gertz, Bill (2 July 2018). "Chinese general, close ally of president, faces off with Mattis on Beijing visit". The Washington Times. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- ^ "一文教你看懂解放军军衔、资历章,赶紧收藏" [One article teaches you to understand the rank and qualifications of the People's Liberation Army, hurry up and collect]. China Youth Online (in Chinese). 3 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2022.