Zhang Dingfa, male, Han nationality, is a native of Wusong, Shanghai municipality. He was born in 1943, joined the PLA in 1960, and joined the CPC in 1964. He was conferred the rank of major general of the Navy in 1991, and promoted to the rank of lieutenant general of the Navy in 1998. Zhang studied in the Submarine School of the Continent Navy, then served as a deputy coxswain, coxswain, and deputy chief of detachment. Zhang was elected commander of the PLA Navy in 2003.
Zhang Dingfa is an alternate member of the 16th CPC Central Committee. He was a member of the CPC Central Military Commission from 2005-2008.