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Zhang YouxiaZhang Youxia (Chinese: 张又侠; born July 1950) is a Chinese general in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and currently the first-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). Zhang previously served as Head of the CMC Equipment Development Department, and its predecessor, the PLA General Armaments Department, from 2012 to 2017. He is the son of General Zhang Zongxun. He is a veteran of the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War and one of the few serving generals in China with war experience. Early life and educationZhang was born and raised in Beijing, but traces his ancestry to Yantou Village, Weinan, Shaanxi Province. He is the son of Zhang Zongxun, a Communist general in the Chinese Civil War, earning him princeling status.[1][2] Zhang Youxia's father and Xi Jinping's father Xi Zhongxun both hail from the Weinan region of Shaanxi. Zhang attended Beijing Jingshan School.[3] CareerHe joined the army in 1968 at 18 years of age. In 1976, he was serving in the 14th Group Army, stationed in Yunnan province; and was rapidly promoted. He took part in the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979 between China and Vietnam, and then the 1984 Battle of Laoshan.[3][4] In August 2000, he was named commander of the 13th Group Army. In December 2005, he became the vice commander of the Beijing Military Region. He was promoted to commander of the Shenyang Military Region in September 2007. He has been associated with National University of Defense Technology as an Adjunct Professor since 2010.[5] He attained the rank of major general in 1997, and lieutenant general in 2007. He became a member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in 2007. In July 2011, he was promoted to General. Prior to the 18th Party Congress held in 2012, a wholesale re-shuffle of the PLA leadership took place. Zhang was tapped to replace Chang Wanquan as director of the PLA General Armaments Department. In November 2012, as is customary for the directors of the "four big departments" of the PLA, Zhang was named a member of the Central Military Commission.[6] Vice Chairman of the Central Military CommissionIn October 2017, Zhang was named as a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and the second-ranking vice chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission. He also became the vice chairman of the state CMC in March 2018.[5][7] According to South China Morning Post in November 2021, Zhang headed the anti-ship missile testing programme including a weapons-testing range with a mock-up US aircraft carrier.[8] In January 2022, during a meeting of PLA's disciplinary officials, Zhang said the PLA should come up with innovative measures to eliminate corruption problems.[9] He met with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa, where both sides pledged to increase military ties.[10] Although expected to retire under the CCP's informal retirement age, Zhang remained on the Politburo following the 20th CCP National Congress in October 2022, and was re-appointed as the first-ranking CMC vice chairman.[1][11] He was also re-appointed as PRC CMC vice-chairman in March 2023. In August 2023, Zhang told top military officials ensuring the quality of weaponry should be a top goal.[12] In October 2023, Zhang addressed the Beijing Xiangshan Forum by saying the PLA would "show no mercy" against any moves towards Taiwanese independence.[13] He visited Russia in November 2023, meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and President Vladimir Putin.[14] At the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao in April 2024, Zhang called for abandoning "cold war mentality" and promised "firm countermeasures against unreasonable provocations" in the South China Sea.[15] In August 2024, Zhang met with United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, where he called on the US to "correct its strategic understanding of China, return to a rational and pragmatic policy toward China, [and] earnestly respect China’s core interests".[16] He visited Vietnam in October, where he met with Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, President Lương Cường, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Defense Minister Phan Văn Giang, saying the two countries were "making new progress" in defense relations.[17] The same month, he oversaw military readiness drills in Hebei.[18] He also visited Pakistan in November, meeting with Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.[19] References
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