Chang Wanquan

Chang Wanquan (born January 1949) is the Minister of Defence and State Councilor of the People's Republic of China and a general in the People's Liberation Army. He was previously director of the PLA General Armaments Department and a member of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China and helped to manage China's space program.

Early life and career
Born in Nanyang, Henan Province, Chang joined the PLA in March 1968 and the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November of the same year. From January 2002 to December 2004, he was the chief of staff and a CPC committee member of the PLA Lanzhou Military Region. From December 2004 to September 2007, he was the commander of the PLA Shenyang Military Region. Since September 2007, he has been serving as the director of the PLA General Armaments Department. In October 2007 he was elected as a member of the Central Military Commission.

He attained the rank of senior colonel in 1992, major general in July 1997, lieutenant general in 2003, and full general in October 2007. He has been a member of the 16th, 17th and 18th Central Committees.

In October 2012, he was appointed Minister of National Defense, succeeding General Liang Guanglie.

At the first plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress, he was also elected as State Councilor.