Chi Haotian, male, Han nationality, is a native of Zhaoyuan, Shandong Province. He was born in 1929, joined the PLA in 1945, joined the CPC in 1946 and graduated from the PLA Nanjing Military Academy and the PLA Political Institute.
Chi was one of China's most prominent military leaders. His career began when he joined the PLA in 1945. He served as a military instructor during the War of Liberation and as battalion instructor during the Korean War. He later became regimental political commissar of the Beijing Military Command and political commissar of the Jinan Military Command. In 1993, he became a member of the State Council. He later became vice-chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission and vice-chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.
Chi was a delegate to the 9th and 11th CPC National Congresses and was a member of the 12th, 13th, 14th and15th CPC Central Committees. He was elected member of Politiburo of 15th CPC Central Committee in 1997.