The following is the biographical sketch of Cao Gangchuan, who was just elected vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China:

Male, born in 1935, of Han nationality, native of Wugang, Henan Province.

Joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in July 1956 and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in July 1954; graduated from the Military Engineering School of the Artillery Corps of the Soviet Union; holds the military rank of general.

Student of the PLA No. 3 Artillery Ordnance Technical School, student and then teacher of No.1 Ordnance Technical School in 1954- 1956; student of the PLA Dalian Russian-Language School in 1956- 1957; student of Military Engineering School of the Artillery Corps of the Soviet Union in 1957-1963.

Assistant of Ammunition Division of Ordnance Department of PLA General Logistics Department in 1963-1969; assistant of Munitions Division of Military Equipment Department of PLA General Logistics Department in 1969-1975; staff officer and deputy director of General Planning Division of Military Equipment Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff in 1975-1982.

Deputy director of Military Equipment Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff in 1982-1989; director of Military Affairs Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff in 1989-1990; director of the Office of Military Trade of Central Military Commission in 1990-1992.

Deputy chief of the general staff of PLA in 1992-1996; minister of Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense in 1996-1998; director of PLA General Armament Department in 1998-1998. Member of the CPC Central Military Commission; director and secretary of Party committee of PLA General Armament Department in 1998-2002.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission; director and secretary of Party committee of PLA General Armament Department since 2002.

Member of the 15th, 16th CPC Central Committee; member of the Political Bureau of the 16th CPC Central Committee; augmented as the CPC Central Military Commission at the 3rd Plenum of the 15th CPC Central Committee; appointed member of the Central Military Commission at the 5th session of the 9th National People's Congress.

(xinhua)