Cao Gangchuan, male, 66, Han nationality, native of Wugang, Henan Province, was born in December 1935. He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in July 1956 and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in July 1954. He graduated from the Military Engineering School of the Artillery Corps of the Soviet Union. He holds the military rank of general.

He is now a 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 the PLA General Armament Department.

1954 - 1956 Student of Nanjing No. 3 Artillery Ordnance Technical School and No.1 Ordnance Technical School; teacher of the No. 1 Ordnance Technical School in 1956

1956 - 1957 Student of the PLA Dalian Russian-Language School

1957 - 1963 Student of Military Engineering School of the Artillery Corps of the Soviet Union

1963 - 1969 Assistant of Ammunition Division of Ordnance Department of PLA General Logistics Department

1969 - 1975 Assistant of Munitions Division of Military Equipment Department of PLA General Logistics Department

1975 - 1982 Staff officer and deputy director of General Planning Division of Military Equipment Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff

1982 - 1989 Deputy director of Military Equipment Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff

1989 - 1990 Director of Military Affairs Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff

1990 - 1992 Director of the Office of Military Trade of Central Military Commission

1992 - 1996 Deputy chief of the general staff of PLA

1996 - 1998 Minister of Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense

1998 - 1998 Director of PLA General Armament Department

1998 - 2002 Member of the CPC Central Military Commission; director and secretary of Party committee of PLA General Armament Department

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

He, a member of the 15th CPC Central Committee, is now a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee and member of the Political Bureau of the 16th CPC Central Committee.