Xu Xiaoyan

Xu Xiaoyan, born in 1968, is originally from Wutai County, Shanxi Province. His father was Marshal Xu Xiangqian of the People's Liberation Army, and his mother was Huang Jie. His family background has been deeply influenced by military tradition. Xu Xiaoyan grew up in Beijing and, from an early age, attended the Bayi Primary School located at the foot of the Western Hills in Beijing, where he lived in a boarding group setting. The school was founded during the war of resistance and cultivated students’ spirit of collectivism and heroism. In his early life, during the early years of the founding of the People's Republic, he traveled dozens of kilometers on a very rudimentary dirt road on foot to attend school.

In terms of education, Xu Xiaoyan was admitted to the Department of Computer Science at Tsinghua University in 1972. After graduating, he studied abroad in Canada, earning a master's degree in computer science. During his studies, he was influenced by his father and revolutionary forerunners from the Whampoa Military Academy, which sparked his strong interest in technology and military applications. After returning to China, he participated in developing China’s first generation of Chinese character computers, a project jointly completed with colleagues. This achievement marked a significant breakthrough for China in the field of information technology.

Regarding his career, Xu Xiaoyan has served as the director of communications for the General Staff Department of the PLA, was promoted to major general in 1994, and later advanced to lieutenant general. In July 2005, he was appointed as the deputy commander of the Nanjing Military Region, and in January 2006, he became deputy director of the Science and Technology Committee of the General Armaments Department. He has played a vital role in the technological and equipment development and informatization of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Currently, he serves as the deputy director of the Science and Technology Committee of the PLA Equipment Development Department and is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

In his personal life, Xu Xiaoyan is family-oriented and received strict upbringing from his parents. His father, Marshal Xu Xiangqian, emphasized strict family discipline, integrity, service to the people, and moral integrity. Xu Xiaoyan inherits his family’s revolutionary spirit, stresses the importance of clean governance, opposes corruption, and places particular importance on the asset declaration system for officials.

Overall, Xu Xiaoyan has made notable achievements in the fields of military and science and technology. His career reflects the advancement of China's informatization and modernization of military construction. His upbringing, academic background, and military positions together demonstrate his significant role in the development of modern Chinese military science and technology.