Wei Fenghe
Wei Fenghe (Chinese: 魏凤和; pinyin: Wèi Fènghé; lit.: 'Wei Phoenix-Peace'; born 1954) is a general (shang jiang) in the Chinese People's Liberation Army who served as Commander of the PLA Rocket Force, formerly known as the Second Artillery Corps. He is Minister of National Defence and the first-ranked State Councilor in Li Keqiang Cabinet II from March 2018, and also the first-ranked ordinary Member of the Xi Jinping-chaired Central Military Commission.
Wei Fenghe | |
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魏凤和 | |
Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe in his PLA Rocket Force uniform in October 2018 | |
State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China | |
Assumed office 13th State Council 19 March 2018 | |
Premier | Li Keqiang |
Preceded by | General Chang Wanquan |
12th Minister of National Defence | |
Assumed office 13th State Council 19 March 2018 | |
Premier | Li Keqiang |
Preceded by | General Chang Wanquan |
Commander of the PLA Rocket Force | |
In office October 2012 – September 2017 | |
Preceded by | General Jing Zhiyuan (as Commander of the Second Artillery Corps) |
Succeeded by | Lieutenant General Zhou Yaning |
Personal details | |
Born | 1954 (age 65–66) Liaocheng, Shandong, China |
Political party | Communist Party of China (1972-present) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | |
Branch/service | |
Years of service | 1970–present |
Rank | |
Unit | Central Military Commission State Council |
Commands | Ministry of National Defence (2018–present) PLA Rocket Force (2015–2017) PLA Second Artillery Corps (2012–2015) |
Biography
Wei Fenghe was born in Liaocheng, Shandong. He joined the People's Liberation Army in December 1970, at the age of 16.[1] Wei graduated from the Second Artillery Command Academy's Command Department in 1984, and rose from the ranks of the Second Artillery Corps to the rank of general. Wei replaced Jing Zhiyuan as Commander of the Second Artillery Corps in October 2012, and was promoted to the rank of General in November 2012.[2][3] Prior to becoming Commander of the Second Artillery, Wei served as Deputy Chief of Staff on the PLA General Staff Department, a first for a Second Artillery officer. Wei also served as Chief of Staff of the Second Artillery, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Second Artillery, 53rd Base Commander, 54th Base Chief of Staff, and a variety of other command positions in the Second Artillery.[1]
In January 1972, Wei joined the Communist Party of China. Wei was an alternate member of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and member of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.[1]
On March 19, 2018, Wei was appointed as the Minister of National Defence and the State Councilor.[4]
References
- "Wei Fenghe". Baidu. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- "China: Nuclear Chief Promoted". New York Times. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- "Chinese General Promoted to Lead Missile Corps". New York Times. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
- "Ex-missile force commander Wei Fenghe named defense minister". The Standard. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
Government offices | ||
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Preceded by General Chang Wanquan |
Minister of National Defense 2018 – present |
Incumbent |