Career
He was the fifth commander of the PLAN (1996–2003). He was the commander of air force of South Sea Fleet, and was promoted to vice commander of air force of Navy in 1990. Two years later, he was promoted to vice commander of PLA Navy.
In November 1996, he was appointed as commander in chief of the Navy.
This was followed by a promotion to full admiral in 2000. He was removed from the post and forced into retirement after the submarine 361 incident in May 2003.