Chinese rocket force scientist Major General Feng Yufang dies aged 63

Feng advocated for self-reliance, once saying ‘core technologies cannot be bought and relying on imports will not get us far’2-MIN READ2-MIN0ListenPublished: 12:00pm, 15 Apr 2026Major General Feng Yufang, a leading missile scientist with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, died on Monday at the age of 63, according to state media and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).The official CAE website confirmed that Feng, one of its academicians, died on April 13. Although it did not give a cause of death, an article by state media outlet China Daily on Tuesday stated that he died of illness.With a career spanning nearly 40 years in military equipment research, Feng made “significant contributions” to developing both nuclear and conventional missile systems for the PLA Rocket Force, according to the CAE website.01:07Generals stripped of political advisory roles as China’s corruption clean-up continuesGenerals stripped of political advisory roles as China’s corruption clean-up continuesFeng, who was born in January 1963 in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, graduated in 1987 from the National University of Defence Technology, where he specialised in nuclear radiation and protective measures.Upon graduation, he was assigned to a research institute under the PLA Second Artillery Corps, the predecessor to the rocket force.Feng rose through the ranks to become a senior engineer at the Rocket Force Research Institute, and was promoted to major general in 2006.He specialised in the technologies and tactics associated with nuclear and conventional warheads for surface-to-surface ballistic missiles.According to Chinese media, Feng spearheaded more than 100 key national and military scientific research projects. He was also credited with independently pushing the development of several new missile weapon systems.He was a staunch advocate for domestic self-reliance, once saying that “core technologies cannot be bought, and relying on imports will not get us far. Only independent innovation can effectively safeguard the strategic initiative concerning national security”, according to Chinese media reports.Feng’s passing comes at a time when China has significantly modernised its missiles and strategic deterrent. A military parade in Beijing in September showcased several new missile types, including the debut of the DF-61, which is considered one of China’s most advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles after the DF-41.In 2018, the military’s mouthpiece, the PLA Daily, said Feng had led a team using cutting-edge theoretical calculations and numerical simulations to establish a technical research framework for specialised military equipment.His patents made public included conventional ballistic missile penetration warheads and advanced methods for processing atmospheric parameters to enhance fuze accuracy.08:31What China’s swift ousting of two top military generals means for the PLAWhat China’s swift ousting of two top military generals means for the PLAIn 2017, Feng was elected an academician of the CAE. He was one of eight newly elected academicians received by Zhang Youxia, then vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, in January 2018, who congratulated them and presented them with certificates recognising them as leading figures in military science and technology.Further ReadingThroughout his service, Feng received numerous honorary titles and national science and technology awards. He also served on the nuclear and arms control committee under the CMC’s Science and Technology Commission.