Xu Qiliang, male, Han nationality, is a native of Linqu, Shandong province. He was born in 1950, joined the PLA in 1966, and joined the CPC in 1967. He was promoted to the rank of major general in 1991, lieutenant general in 1996, and General in 2007. He attended the 1st Aviation Reserve College of the Air Force, and the 8th Aviation School in 1967, and the 5th Aviation School of Air Force in 1968. Xu was a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee.
In 2007, he became Commander of the PLA Air Force, a member of the 17th CPC Central Committee and a member of the 17th CPC Central Military Commission. In 2012 he was appointed vice-chairman of the 18th CPC Central Military Commission and member of the Politburo of the 18th CPC Central Committee. In 2013 he became Vice-Chairman of Central Military Commission of PRC.
In 2017 he became a Politburo member of the member of the 19th CPC Central Committee and Vice-Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.