Ma Zhanmin

Ma Zhanmin (Chinese: 马占民; 22 July 1932 – 19 April 2024) was a lieutenant general in the People's Liberation Army Air Force of China. He was a delegate to the 6th and 7th National People's Congress. He was a member of the 9th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Biography

Ma was born in Shen County (now Shenzhou City), Hebei, in July 1932. He enlisted in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in July 1947, and joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October 1948.

During the Chinese Civil War, he served in the war and engaged in the Battle of Qingfengdian [zh], Battle of Shijiazhuang [zh], Battle of Jinan.

After establishment of the Communist State, in April 1950, he enrolled at the 6th Flight School of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, becoming one of the first batch of flight trainees of the People's Liberation Army Air Force since its establishment on 11 November 1949. After graduating in February 1951, he took part in the Korean War.

In June 1973, he was selected from the 50 aviation division commanders of the PLA Air Force and appointed director of the PLA Air Force Operations Department and PLA Air Force Military Training Department of the Central Military Commission. In 1977, he was appointed deputy chief of staff of the PLA Air Force, and five years later promoted to the chief of staff position. In January 1993, he was given command of the Lanzhou Military Region Air Force, and in April 1994, he was soon reassigned to command the Beijing Military Region Air Force. He retired in July 2003.

On 19 April 2024, he died in Beijing, at the age of 91.