The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The PLAN force consists of about 250,000 men and over a hundred major combat vessels, organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet, and the South Sea Fleet. Below is the organizational structure of the PLAN.
PLAN headquarters[]
PLAN headquarters is subordinate to the PLA General Staff Department and the Chairman of the Central Military Committee .
Information current as of March 2007
- Commander-in-Chief of the Navy: Admiral Wu Shengli
Commander | Command Period |
---|---|
Wu Shengli | Aug 2006 – Present |
Zhang Dingfa | Jun 2003 – Aug 2006 |
Shi Yunsheng | Nov 1996 – Jun 2003 |
Zhang Liangzhong | Jan 1988 – Jun 2003 |
Liu Huaqing | Aug 1982 – Jan 1988 |
Ye Fei | Jan 1980 – Aug 1982 |
Xiao Jinguang | Jan 1950 – Jan 1980 |
- Political Commissar of the Navy: Admiral Liu Xiaojiang
Political Commissar | Command Period |
---|---|
Liu Xiaojiang | Jul 2008 – Present |
Hu Yanlin | Jun 2003 – Jul 2008 |
Yang Huaiqing | Jul 1995 – Jun 2003 |
Zhou Kunren | Dec 1993 – Jul 1995 |
Wei Jingshan | April 1990 – Dec 1993 |
Lee Yaowen | Oct 1980 – April 1990 |
Ye Fei | Feb 1979 – Jan 1980 |
Du Yide | Oct 1977 – Dec 1978 |
Su Zhenhua | Sep 1971 – Sep 1977 |
Li Zuoping | Jun 1967 – Sep 1971 |
Wang Hongkun | Mar 1966 – Jun 1967 |
Su Zhenhua | Feb 1957 – Feb 1966 |
Deputy Political Commissars:
- Kang Chengyuan
- Fan Yinhua
- Wu Huayang
Deputy Commanders-in-Chief of the Navy:
- Ding Yiping
- Jin Mao
- Shen Binyi
- Wang Yucheng
- Zhang Yongyi
- Zhang Zhannan
- Zhao Xingfa
- Gu Wengen
- Chief of Naval Staff: Ding Yiping
- Director of Political Department: Xu Jianzhong
Fleet Commanders
- North Sea Fleet: Rear Admiral Tian Zhong; Political Commisar Li Guang
- East Sea Fleet: Vice Admiral Xu Hongmen; Political Commisar Xu Jianzhong
- South Sea Fleet: Vice Admiral Gu Wengen; Political Commisar Huang Jiaxiang
Fleets[]
The People's Liberation Army Navy is divided into three fleets.
- the North Sea Fleet, headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong Province, patrols the Bohai Bay and the Yellow Sea. Its flagship is DDG Harbin.
- the East Sea Fleet, headquartered in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, patrols the East China Sea, which is called the Eastern Sea in Chinese. Its flagship is J302 Chongmingdao.
- the South Sea Fleet, headquartered in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, patrols the South China Sea, or the South Sea in Chinese. Its flagship is AOR/AK Nanchang.
Bases[]
North Sea Fleet Major bases: Qingdao (HQ), Huludao, Jianggezhuang, Guzhen Bay, Lushun, Xiaopingdao. Minor bases: Weihai Wei, Qingshan, Luda, Lianyungang, Ling Shan, Ta Ku Shan, Changshandao, Liuzhuang, Dayuanjiadun, Dalian
East Sea Fleet Major bases: Ningbo (HQ), Zhoushan, Shanghai, Daxie, Fujian. Minor bases: Zhenjiangguan, Wusong, Xinxiang, Wenzhou, Sanduao, Xiamen, Xingxiang, Quandou, Wen Zhou SE, Wuhan, Dinghai, Jiaotou
South Sea Fleet Major bases: Zhanjiang (HQ), Yulin, Huangfu, Hong Kong, Guangzhou (Canton). Minor bases: Haikou, Shantou, Humen, Kuanchuang, Tsun, Kuan Chung, Mawai, Beihai, Ping Tan, San Chou Shih, Tang-Chiah Huan, Longmen, Bailong, Dongcun, Baimajing, Xiachuandao, Yuchi
Branches[]
The PLAN is organised into five branches:[1]
- People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force
- People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
- People's Liberation Army Navy Coastal Defense Force
- People's Liberation Army Marine Corps
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
References[]
External links[]
- Sinodefence.com
- Global Security PLAN Overview
- GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies China Data Supplement
- Office of Naval Intelligence China's Navy 2007
- CRS Report for Congress: China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S Navy Capabilities — Background and Issues for Congress
The original article can be found at People's Liberation Army Navy Organization and the edit history here.