People's Liberation Army Navy Organization
The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The PLAN force consists of about 250,000 men and over a hundred major combat vessels, organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet, and the South Sea Fleet. Below is the organizational structure of the PLAN.
PLAN headquarters
PLAN headquarters is subordinate to the PLA General Staff Department and the Chairman of the Central Military Committee .
Information current as of March 2007
- Commander-in-Chief of the Navy: Admiral Wu Shengli
| Commander | Command Period |
|---|---|
| Wu Shengli | Aug 2006 – Present |
| Zhang Dingfa | Jun 2003 – Aug 2006 |
| Shi Yunsheng | Nov 1996 – Jun 2003 |
| Zhang Lianzhong | Jan 1988 – Jun 2003 |
| Liu Huaqing | Aug 1982 – Jan 1988 |
| Ye Fei | Jan 1980 – Aug 1982 |
| Xiao Jinguang | Jan 1950 – Jan 1980 |
| Political Commissar | Command Period |
|---|---|
| Miao Hua | December 2014 – Present |
| Liu Xiaojiang | Jul 2008 – December 2014 |
| Hu Yanlin | Jun 2003 – Jul 2008 |
| Yang Huaiqing | Jul 1995 – Jun 2003 |
| Zhou Kunren | Dec 1993 – Jul 1995 |
| Wei Jinshan | April 1990 – Dec 1993 |
| Li Yaowen | Oct 1980 – April 1990 |
| Ye Fei | Feb 1979 – Jan 1980 |
| Du Yide | Oct 1977 – Dec 1978 |
| Su Zhenhua | Sep 1971 – Sep 1977 |
| Li Zuopeng | Jun 1967 – Sep 1971 |
| Wang Hongkun | Mar 1966 – Jun 1967 |
| Su Zhenhua | Feb 1957 – Feb 1966 |
Deputy Commanders:
Deputy Political Commissars:
- Chief of Naval Staff: Ding Yiping
- Director of Political Department: Xu Jianzhong
Fleet Commanders
- North Sea Fleet: Rear Admiral Tian Zhong; Political Commissar Li Guang
- East Sea Fleet: Vice Admiral Xu Hongmen; Political Commissar Xu Jianzhong
- South Sea Fleet: Vice Admiral Gu Wengen; Political Commissar Huang Jiaxiang
Fleets
The People's Liberation Army Navy is divided into three fleets.
- the North Sea Fleet, headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong Province, patrols the Bohai Bay and the Yellow Sea. Its flagship is DDG Harbin.
- the East Sea Fleet, headquartered in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, patrols the East China Sea, which is called the Eastern Sea in Chinese. Its flagship is J302 Chongmingdao.
- the South Sea Fleet, headquartered in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, patrols the South China Sea, or the South Sea in Chinese. Its flagship is AOR/AK Nanchang.
Bases
North Sea Fleet Major bases: Qingdao (HQ), Huludao, Jianggezhuang, Guzhen Bay, Lushun, Xiaopingdao. Minor bases: Weihai Wei, Qingshan, Luda, Lianyungang, Ling Shan, Ta Ku Shan, Changshandao, Liuzhuang, Dayuanjiadun, Dalian
East Sea Fleet Major bases: Ningbo (HQ), Zhoushan, Shanghai, Daxie, Fujian. Minor bases: Zhenjiangguan, Wusong, Xinxiang, Wenzhou, Sanduao, Xiamen, Xingxiang, Quandou, Wen Zhou SE, Wuhan, Dinghai, Jiaotou
South Sea Fleet Major bases: Zhanjiang (HQ), Yulin, Huangfu, Hong Kong, Guangzhou (Canton). Minor bases: Haikou, Shantou, Humen, Kuanchuang, Tsun, Kuan Chung, Mawai[disambiguation needed], Beihai, Ping Tan, San Chou Shih, Tang-Chiah Huan, Longmen[disambiguation needed], Bailong, Dongcun, Baimajing, Xiachuandao, Yuchi
Branches
The PLAN is organised into five branches:[1]
- People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force
- People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
- People's Liberation Army Navy Coastal Defense Force
- People's Liberation Army Marine Corps
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
