Zhang Dingfa

Zhang Dingfa (; 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.

Early life and career 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.

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. In September 2004, he was promoted to the rank of admiral, and became a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC). He was the first naval commander to become a CMC member.

As commander, Zhang initiated steps to reform the PLA Navy in the aftermath of the Ming 361 accident, including reorganizing the chain of command to improve accountability for maintenance and emphasizing training for more realistic scenarios. After serving for three years, however, Zhang was forced to step down in August 2006 because of terminal cancer. He was replaced by Admiral Wu Shengli, who continued his reforms.

Death

On 14 December 2006, Zhang Dingfa died in Beijing. President Hu Jintao and Vice President Zeng Qinghong were among those who attended his funeral. He was cremated and buried at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery.