Liu Shunyao

Liu Shunyao (simplified Chinese: 刘顺尧; traditional Chinese: 劉順堯; 1939 – 30 December 2002) was a Chinese pilot and general of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). He served as Commander of the Lanzhou Military Region Air Force, Deputy Commander of the PLAAF (1994–1996), and Commander of the PLAAF (1996–2002).

In this Chinese name, the family name is Liu.
Liu Shunyao
刘顺尧
8th Commander of the PLA Air Force
In office
December 1996 – February 2002
Preceded byYu Zhenwu
Succeeded byQiao Qingchen
Commander of the Lanzhou Military Region Air Force
In office
April 1994 – October 1994
Preceded byMa Zhanmin
Succeeded byLi Yongde
Personal details
Born1939
Zhaoyuan, Shandong, China
Died(2002-12-30)30 December 2002 (aged 63)
Beijing, China
Political partyCommunist Party of China
Alma materPLAAF Flight Academy
PLA National Defence University
Military service
Allegiance People's Republic of China
Branch/service People's Liberation Army Air Force
Years of service1958–2002
Rank General
Battles/warsBattle of the Paracel Islands

Early life and career

Liu was born in 1939 in Zhaoyuan, Shandong, Republic of China. He enlisted in the People's Liberation Army in 1958 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1961.[1]

Liu later transferred to the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and trained as a fighter pilot at the PLAAF Flight Academy.[2] Rising through the ranks in the Air Force, he served successively as deputy squadron commander, battalion commander, deputy regiment commander, regiment commander, deputy division commander, and division commander. In 1974, he fought in the Battle of the Paracel Islands against South Vietnam.[1]

Service in Northwest China

In May 1983, Liu became Deputy Director of the Air Force Command of the Urumqi Military Region,[1] and was promoted to Commander of the Urumqi Air Force Command in 1986.[2] In 1990, he was selected for senior commander training at the PLA National Defence University, where he caught the attention of Commandant General Zhang Zhen.[2]

After graduation, he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Lanzhou Military Region Air Force (MRAF). In 1994, he was promoted to Commander of the Lanzhou MRAF and concurrently Deputy Commander of the Lanzhou MR, serving under Commander Fu Quanyou.[2] In the decade he served in Northwest China, he placed a strong emphasis on training.[1]

PLAAF headquarters

In October 1994, Liu transferred to the PLAAF headquarters to serve as Deputy Commander.[1] In December 1996, he was promoted to PLAAF Commander, replacing Yu Zhenwu.[3] During his tenure, he oversaw the development of advanced weaponry,[1] began emphasizing the need to fight offensive battles, and enhanced training involving air deterrence, interdiction, and joint exercises.[4]

Liu was a delegate to the 13th, 15th, and 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. He was elected a member of the 15th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He attained the rank of major general in 1988, lieutenant general in 1995, and full general in 2000.[1]

Liu stepped down from his post due to illness[5] in February 2002 and was replaced by Qiao Qingchen as commander.[3] He died in Beijing on 30 December 2002, aged 63.[1]

References
  1. "空军原司令员刘顺尧同志因病医治无效在京逝世". Sina. 6 January 2003. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  2. Lilley, James; Shambaugh, David L. (2016). China's Military Faces the Future. Routledge. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-315-50104-8.
  3. Shambaugh, David (2002). Modernizing China's Military: Progress, Problems, and Prospects. University of California Press. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-520-22507-7.
  4. Scobell, Andrew; Wortzel, Larry (2002). China's Growing Military Power: Perspectives on Security, Ballistic Missiles, and Conventional Capabilities. Strategic Studies Institute. p. 259. ISBN 1-58487-093-1.
  5. Chu, Yun-han; Lo, Chih-cheng; Myers, Ramon H. (2004). The New Chinese Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities After the 16th Party Congress. Cambridge University Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-521-60058-3.
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