Xu Qiliang, a former senior Chinese military official and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, passed away in Beijing on Monday at the age of 75, according to an official statement. The announcement highlighted Xu’s decades-long dedication to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Xu joined the PLA in 1966 and became a CPC member the following year, rising through the ranks to become a key figure in China’s military leadership. He served on the Political Bureau of the 18th and 19th CPC Central Committees and was awarded the rank of Air Force General in 2007. The statement praised him as a “time-tested and loyal communist soldier” and an “outstanding leader” of the PLA.
His career spanned critical periods of modernization within China’s armed forces, reflecting his role in shaping defense strategies. Analysts note that Xu’s contributions aligned with broader efforts to strengthen the PLA’s capabilities amid evolving regional security dynamics.
Xu’s passing marks the loss of a pivotal figure in China’s military history, with tributes expected from across political and defense circles. The statement did not disclose further details about his illness but emphasized his “proletarian military strategist” legacy.
