Compiled from the following sources:
Special biographic research
Wen Wei Publishing Company, Ltd. 2002-2006
Who's Who, Current Chinese Leaders
Wen Wei Publishing Company, Ltd. 2003-2005
Zhongguo Gongchandang Lijie Zhongyang Weiyuan Dacidian, 1921-2003
Beijing: Zhonggong dangshi chubanshe 2004
Revision History:
Biography Revised: 3/18/2008
Career Data Updated: 3/18/2008
Cao Gangchuan 曹刚川
Former Minister of National Defense
Born: 1935
Birthplace: Henan Province, Wugang
Biography Highlight
Cao Gangchuan, male, Han nationality, is a native of Wugang, Henan Province. He was born in 1935, joined the PLA in 1954, and joined the CPC in 1956. He holds the military rank of general.Recent Career Data
| 2003—2008 | Minister, Ministry of National Defense | |
| 2003—2008 | State Councilor, State Council | |
| 2002—2007 | Vice-Chairman, 16th CPC, Central Committee, Central Military Commission | |
| 2002—2007 | Member, 16th CPC, Central Committee, Politburo | |
| 2002—2007 | Member, 16th CPC, Central Committee | |
| 1998— | Director, PLA, General Armaments Department | |
| 1998— | General, PLA | |
| 1998—2002 | Member, 15th CPC, Central Committee, Central Military Commission | |
| 1998— | Secretary, PLA, General Armaments Department CPC, Party Committee | |
| 1997—2002 | Member, 15th CPC, Central Committee |
Recent Travel & Appearances
| 03/03/08 | Cao Gangchuan held talks with Belarusian defense minister Leonid Maltsev. |
| 02/27/08 | Cao Gangchuan met with Japanese Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Office of the Self-Defense Force Saito Takashi. |
| 02/26/08 | Cao Gangchuan met with Markus Seiler, secretary general of the Federal Department of Defence of Switzerland. |
| 01/22/08 | Cao Gangchuan met with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz. |
| 01/16/08 | Cao Gangchuan met with Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla and Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono. |
