[1][2] After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Zhang served in the 31st Group Army as a platoon and company commander.

Following two years of study at the Advanced Infantry School from 1956 to 1958, he served as a battalion chief of staff in the Fuzhou Military Region.

252) to sail past the first island chain into the Pacific Ocean, for a total journey of 3,300 nautical miles.

[2] In September 1983, Zhang received North Korean President Kim Il Sung on the latter's visit of the Lüshun Base, who was accompanied by General Secretary Hu Yaobang.

The nation's suffering from lack of sea defence still remains fresh in our mind; and the history should not repeat itself.