Compiled from the following sources:

Special biographic research
Wen Wei Publishing Company, Ltd. 2002-2006

Who's Who, Current Chinese Leaders
Wen Wei Publishing Company, Ltd. 2003-2005

Zhongguo Gongchandang Lijie Zhongyang Weiyuan Dacidian, 1921-2003
Beijing: Zhonggong dangshi chubanshe 2004

Revision History:

Biography Revised: 3/18/2008
Career Data Updated: 3/18/2008

PHOTO: Cao Gangchuan
Cao Gangchuan 曹刚川
Former Minister of National Defense
Born: 1935
Birthplace: Henan Province, Wugang

Biography

Cao Gangchuan, male, Han nationality, is a native of Wugang, Henan Province. He was born in 1935, joined the PLA in 1954, and joined the CPC in 1956. He holds the military rank of general.

Cao spent the early part of his career in the Military Affairs Department of the PLA. In 1996 he became minister of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. In the late 1990's he held Party and senior management positions in the PLA's General Armament Department.

Cao Gangchuan was a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee. He served as State Councilor of the State Council and Minister of the Ministry of National Defense from 2003-2008.

Career Data

2003—2008 Minister, Ministry of National Defense
2003—2008 State Councilor, State Council
2002—2007 Vice-Chairman, 16th CPC, Central Committee, Central Military Commission
2002—2007 Member, 16th CPC, Central Committee
2002—2007 Member, 16th CPC, Central Committee, Politburo
1998— General, PLA
1998— Secretary, PLA, General Armaments Department CPC, Party Committee
1998—2002 Member, 15th CPC, Central Committee, Central Military Commission
1998— Director, PLA, General Armaments Department
1997—2002 Member, 15th CPC, Central Committee
1996—1998 Minister, State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND)
1993—1998 Lieutenant General, PLA
1992—1996 Deputy Chief, PLA, Headquarters of the General Staff
1990—1992 Director, Central Military Commission of the PRC, Office of Military Trade
1989—1990 Director, PLA, Headquarters of the General Staff, Military Affairs Department
1988—1993 Major General, PLA
1982—1989 Deputy Director, PLA, Headquarters of the General Staff, Military Equipment Department
1975—1982 Deputy Director, PLA, Headquarters of the General Staff, Military Equipment Department, General Planning Division
1975—1982 Staff Officer, PLA, Headquarters of the General Staff, Military Equipment Department, General Planning Division
1969—1975 Assistant, PLA, General Logistics Department, Military Equipment Department, Munitions Division
1963—1969 Assistant, PLA, General Logistics Department, Ordinance Department, Ammunition Division
1957—1963 Student, (Military Engineering School, Artillery Corps of the Soviet Union)
1956—1957 Student, PLA Dalian Russian-Language School Liaoning Province, Dalian City
1956 Joined, CPC
1956—1956 Teacher, No. 1 Ordnance Technical School
1954 Joined, PLA
1954—1956 Student, No. 1 Ordnance Technical School
1954—1956 Student, No. 3 Artillery Ordnance Technical School Jiangsu Province, Nanjing City


Recent Travel & Appearances

31 Mar 10 Hu Jintao bid farewell to former commander of the Air Force of the PLA Zhang Tingfa.
11 Feb 10 Hu Jintao and other senior Party and government officials visited a number of former leaders and extended their best wishes to them, ahead of the Lunar New Year.
20 Oct 09 Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin consoled a relative of Lu Zhengcao, the last one of New China's first 57 generals, during Lu's funeral service.
01 Oct 09 Hu Jintao addressed the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
30 Sep 09 Wen Jiabao and top leaders attended a grand reception to mark the founding anniversary of the People's Republic.
28 Sep 09 Hu Jintao and other top leaders watched a large-scale musical epic.
19 Sep 09 Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin visited an exhibition showcasing the achievements New China has made in the past six decades.
10 Aug 09 Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin attended the cremation ceremony of Zhuo Lin, widow of China's late leader Deng Xiaoping.
16 Jan 09 Xi Jinping met with retired cadres during a Spring Festival reception held for old comrades.
13 Jan 09 Hu Jintao attended an art performance to entertain military veterans and ex-officers.

The most recent (of 266) travel & appearance entries are listed here. (View all)


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