The English-speaking commander of China’s newest aircraft carrier the Shandong
- Lai Yijun has a major in missiles and a reputation for stepping up when it counts
- English is an important requirement as the PLA Navy strives to be considered an international force
Lai Yijun stepped in to take command of the guided-missile frigate Lianyungang during a multilateral live-fire naval exercise in Pakistan in 2007 when the vessel’s top officer fell sick.
It was the first exercise of its kind for the People’s Liberation Army Navy and involved warships from nine countries, including the United States, Britain, France and Italy.
Under Lai’s command, the Chinese frigate was one of the best performers in a competition to hit a surface target.
He was later promoted to commander of a frigate division in the East Sea Fleet.
Now Lai, who graduated from the PLA’s Dalian Naval Academy with a major in missiles, is at the helm of the Shandong, the first aircraft carrier built in China.
Trained at the PLA University of Foreign Languages and named the country’s commander of the year in 2010, Lai is in his forties, is fluent in English and was once considered to be a candidate for a Chinese embassy as military attaché, according to the Global Times.
