Zhang Dingfa | |
|---|---|
张定发 | |
 | |
| 6th Commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy | |
| In office June 2003 – August 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Shi Yunsheng |
| Succeeded by | Wu Shengli |
| President of the PLA Academy of Military Science | |
| In office November 2002 – June 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Ge Zhenfeng |
| Succeeded by | Zheng Shenxia |
| Commander of the North Sea Fleet | |
| In office November 1996 – December 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Wang Jiying |
| Succeeded by | Ding Yiping |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 December 1943 Pudong, Shanghai, China |
| Died | 14 December 2006 (aged 63) Beijing, China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Alma mater | PLAN Submarine Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  People's Republic of China |
| Branch/service |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Years of service | 1960–2006 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
Zhang Dingfa (simplified Chinese: 张定发; traditional Chinese: 張定發; pinyin: Zhāng Dìngfā; 8 December 1943 – 14 December 2006) was a submariner and admiral of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), who served as Commander of the PLAN from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he served as President of the PLA Academy of Military Science and Commander of the North Sea Fleet.
Zhang became the PLA Navy commander in the aftermath of the fatal submarine 361 accident in 2003. He initiated reforms to improve maintenance and training of the naval force, but stepped down three years later because of cancer, and died soon afterwards.