12 Facts About Zhang Tingfa

Zhang Tingfa was a Chinese Communist revolutionary and a major general of the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Zhang Tingfa served as Political Commissar and Commander of the PLAAF, and was a member of the Central Military Commission.

Zhang Tingfa served two terms as a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, before retiring in 1985.

Zhang Tingfa fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Civil War, and the Korean War, and commanded the Chinese Air Force during the Sino-Vietnamese War.

Zhang Tingfa was born on 9 April 1918 in Xiamao Town, Sha County, Fujian Province, to a family of craftsmen.

Zhang Tingfa joined the Chinese Communist Party in November 1936.

In February 1953, Zhang Tingfa was transferred to the nascent PLA Air Force, initially serving as the first deputy chief of staff, and later chief of staff and deputy commander.

Zhang Tingfa was awarded the rank of major general in 1955.

Zhang Tingfa was elected to the 11th and 12th CCP Politburos, and was a member of the Central Military Commission from 1977 to 1982.

Zhang Tingfa commanded the Chinese Air Force during the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War, and was made chief of staff of the Southern Front, the main front facing Vietnam.

Zhang Tingfa retired from his leadership positions in July 1985, and became a member of the Central Advisory Commission in September.

Zhang Tingfa was reelected to the CAC in November 1987, and largely disappeared from public view afterwards.