Xiao Tianliang

Xiao Tianliang (; born November 1962) is a general in the People's Liberation Army, currently serving as president of the People's Liberation Army National Defense University, in office since February 2023.

Biography Xiao was born in Zaoyang, Hubei, in November 1962. He enlisted in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1979.

He was promoted to the rank of major general (shaojiang) in July 2008, lieutenant general (zhongjiang) in August 2016, and general (shangjiang) in March 2024.

Views In a 2006 lecture to the PLA Academy of Military Science, Xiao stated that China would not consider using nuclear weapons in a dispute over Taiwan. According to Xiao, "If we are forced to enter war to prevent Taiwan independence in the future ... nuclear weapons cannot be used, and Taiwan's nuclear facilities cannot be attacked, otherwise how can we face international society and explain to our grandchildren"?