Zhang Dingfa
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Zhang Dingfa | |
|---|---|
张定发 | |
 | |
| 6th Commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy | |
| In office June 2003 – August 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Shi Yunsheng |
| Succeeded by | Wu Shengli |
| President of the PLA Academy of Military Science | |
| In office November 2002 – June 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Ge Zhenfeng |
| Succeeded by | Zheng Shenxia |
| Commander of the North Sea Fleet | |
| In office November 1996 – December 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Wang Jiying |
| Succeeded by | Ding Yiping |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 December 1943 |
| Died | 14 December 2006 (aged 63) Beijing, China |
| Party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Alma mater | PLAN Submarine Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  China |
| Branch/service |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Years of service | 1960–2006 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
Zhang Dingfa (simplified Chinese: 张定发; traditional Chinese: 張定發; pinyin: Zhāng Dìngfā; 8 December 1943 – 14 December 2006) was a submariner and admiral of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), who served as Commander of the PLAN from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he served as President of the PLA Academy of Military Science and Commander of the North Sea Fleet.
Zhang became the PLA Navy commander in the aftermath of the fatal submarine 361 accident in 2003. He initiated reforms to improve maintenance and training of the naval force, but stepped down three years later because of cancer, and died soon afterwards.
Zhang Dingfa was born on 8 December 1943 to a workers' family in Pudong, Shanghai. After graduating from Yangsi High School, he was admitted to the PLAN Submarine Academy in 1960. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in March 1964.[1][2]
After graduating from the Submarine Academy in July 1964, Zhang joined the PLAN's submarine force, and participated in the development of China's nuclear submarines.[1] He became a deputy submarine commander in 1971, and commander in 1975.[2]
In August 1985, Zhang became chief of staff of the Qingdao Naval Base of the PLAN's North Sea Fleet, and he attained the rank of rear admiral in June 1991.[2] He was then promoted to chief of staff of the North Sea Fleet in 1993, deputy commander in 1995, and commander of the North Sea Fleet and concurrently deputy commander of the Jinan Military Region in 1996. He became a vice admiral in July 1998, and a deputy commander of the PLA Navy in December 2000.[2]
In November 2002, Zhang was appointed president of the PLA Academy of Military Science, the first naval officer to hold the position.[citation needed]
