Guo Boxiong

Guo Boxiong, born July 1942 in Xianyang, Shaanxi province was, from 2002 to 2012, a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, a position he was appointed during the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China along with membership of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

As one of the Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission, he was one of the highest-ranking military officers of PLA.

Biography
In 1961 he joined the People's Liberation Army, and in 1963 joined the Communist Party of China. Guo was trained at China's National Defense University and the Xian Army Academy in People's Liberation Army Military Academy where he graduated. He currently holds the rank of General. In the 55th Division of the 19th Army, Guo rose from a soldier to chief of staff of the 55th Division by 1982. By 1983 Guo was chief of staff of the 19th Army until 1985, when he became deputy chief of staff of the Lanzhou Military Region. Afterwards Guo became commander of the 47th Army Group for three years. In 1993 Guo became deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region and in 1997 commander of the Lanzhou Military Region. He retired in October 2012.