Story perspectives

Female Officer Champions Professionalism Aboard China's Liaoning Carrier

3/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Zhu Yuemeng, the only female senior officer on China's Liaoning aircraft carrier, spoke about professionalism over gender at the 14th National People’s Congress on March 7, 2023.
The 36-year-old naval lieutenant colonel from Jilin province serves as a political instructor and shared her training challenges at the People’s Liberation Army Naval Aeronautical University.
Currently, approximately five percent of the Liaoning's crew is female, although the total crew size is not disclosed.
The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was commissioned in September 2012.

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Story summary

Zhu Yuemeng, the only female senior officer on China's Liaoning aircraft carrier, spoke about professionalism over gender at the 14th National People’s Congress on March 7, 2023.
The 36-year-old naval lieutenant colonel from Jilin province serves as a political instructor and shared her training challenges at the People’s Liberation Army Naval Aeronautical University.
Currently, approximately five percent of the Liaoning's crew is female, although the total crew size is not disclosed.
The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was commissioned in September 2012.