Zhang Dejiang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zhang Dejiang
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| 张德江 | |
Zhang in 2014
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| 9th Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress | |
| In office 14 March 2013 – 17 March 2018 |
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| Vice Chairpersons |
See list
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| Secretary-General | Wang Chen |
| Preceded by | Wu Bangguo |
| Succeeded by | Li Zhanshu |
| Vice Premier of China | |
| In office 17 March 2008 – 16 March 2013 |
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| Premier | Wen Jiabao |
| Party Secretary of Chongqing | |
| In office 15 March 2012 – 20 November 2012 |
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| Deputy | Huang Qifan (Mayor) |
| Preceded by | Bo Xilai |
| Succeeded by | Sun Zhengcai |
| Party Secretary of Guangdong | |
| In office 24 December 2002 – 1 December 2007 |
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| Deputy | Lu Ruihua (Governor) Huang Huahua |
| Preceded by | Li Changchun |
| Succeeded by | Wang Yang |
| Party Secretary of Zhejiang | |
| In office 16 September 1998 – 24 December 2002 |
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| Deputy | Chai Songyue (Governor) Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Li Zemin |
| Succeeded by | Xi Jinping |
| Party Secretary of Jilin | |
| In office 6 June 1995 – 16 September 1998 |
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| Deputy | Wang Yunkun (Governor) |
| Preceded by | He Zhukang |
| Succeeded by | Wang Yunkun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 November 1946 Tai'an County, Liaoning, Republic of China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Alma mater | Yanbian University Kim Il Sung University |
| Zhang Dejiang | |||||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 张德江 | ||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 張德江 | ||||||||
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Zhang Dejiang (born November 4, 1946) is a Chinese politician who has retired from public service. He held important roles in the Chinese government. From 2013 to 2018, he was the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. This is a very high position in China's law-making body. He was also a top leader in the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party from 2012 to 2017.
Before these roles, Zhang Dejiang served as the Party Secretary in different provinces, like Jilin and Zhejiang, starting in 1995. In 2002, he became the Party Secretary of Guangdong. During his time there, the SARS outbreak began in the region. From 2008 to 2013, he was a vice premier, helping to manage important areas like energy, communication, and transportation. He was known for helping to solve problems during big events, like the 2009 Heilongjiang mine explosion and the 2011 Wenzhou train collision. In 2012, he briefly led the party in Chongqing.
In 2013, he became one of the top three leaders in the CCP Politburo Standing Committee. He also took on responsibilities for national security and for matters related to Hong Kong and Macau. He retired from his top leadership roles in 2017 and 2018.
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Early Life and Education
Zhang Dejiang was born in Tai'an County, which is in Liaoning, China. He went to Yanbian University in Jilin, where he studied the Korean language. Later, in 1978, he continued his studies at Kim Il Sung University in North Korea, earning a degree in economics in 1980.
Early Career in Politics
Starting in Jilin
In 1983, Zhang Dejiang began his political career. He became a deputy leader for the Communist Party in Yanji City. By 1985, he was promoted to a higher role in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin Province. In 1986, he moved to work for the central government in the State Council, serving as a deputy minister in the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Zhang Dejiang became more well-known during the time of General Secretary Jiang Zemin. He visited North Korea with Jiang Zemin in 1990. Soon after, he returned to Jilin to lead the party in Yanbian and serve as a deputy leader for the entire Jilin province. His experience in Jilin, especially with local issues, helped him advance. In 1995, he became the main party leader for Jilin province.
Leading Zhejiang Province
In 1998, Zhang Dejiang became the party leader for Zhejiang province. He was well-liked by business owners there because he allowed private businesses to grow and operate freely, as long as they followed the rules.
Party Chief of Guangdong
In November 2002, Zhang Dejiang moved to Guangdong province to become its Party Secretary. He also joined the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, which is a very important group of leaders. In Guangdong, Zhang focused on improving the economy, education, and helping to reduce poverty.
Responding to SARS
Zhang's time in Guangdong started right after the SARS outbreak began in the province. He worked to control the spread of the virus and manage the treatment of patients. The World Health Organization and China's central government praised his efforts in handling the situation.
Growing the Economy
When Zhang arrived in Guangdong, he made it a top goal to boost the province's economy. He worked to connect the economies of the Pearl River Delta region more closely. He also asked for studies on how to increase economic cooperation among Guangdong and other nearby provinces and regions, including Hong Kong and Macau.
Improving Health and Education
Zhang also led projects to make public health better. For example, he started a plan called "one medical station per village." This plan brought modern health services to villages that had not had them before. His work in health care was recognized by national health officials.
He also supported the "Education Town" project in Guangzhou. This project aimed to build a large area for universities and schools. Construction for this big project began in 2003 and was completed very quickly, in just nine months.
Vice Premier Role
In 2008, Zhang Dejiang became a vice premier in the government led by Wen Jiabao. In this role, he was in charge of important industries like energy, telecommunications, and transportation across China. He also led a special team focused on production safety.
In 2010, during a visit to Pakistan, Zhang Dejiang received the Hilal-i-Pakistan award. This award was given to him by Pakistan's president for his work in making the relationship between China and Pakistan stronger.
As vice premier, Zhang was often sent to the sites of major disasters to help manage the response and rescue efforts. He was the highest-ranking official at the scene of the 2009 Heilongjiang mine explosion, and he also led the team responding to the crash of Henan Airlines Flight 8387. He was also sent to Wenzhou to lead search and rescue efforts after the 2011 Wenzhou train collision.
Leading Chongqing
In March 2012, Zhang Dejiang was appointed to lead the Communist Party organization in Chongqing. This happened after the previous leader, Bo Xilai, was removed from his position. Zhang kept his role as vice premier while working in Chongqing. His appointment showed that he was highly trusted by the top leaders.
After taking office in Chongqing, Zhang worked to reassure businesses that the city's economy would continue to grow. He also emphasized that social and political stability were top priorities for officials in Chongqing.
Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee
In November 2012, Zhang Dejiang became a member of the powerful Politburo Standing Committee. A few days later, he was succeeded as party secretary of Chongqing. On March 14, 2013, Zhang was elected as the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. This meant he was the head of China's top legislative body. In 2014, he was also appointed as a vice chairman of the new National Security Commission.
Zhang also continued to use his knowledge of Korean affairs. He met with South Korean President Park Geun-hye during her visit to Beijing in 2013 and during his own visit to Seoul in 2015.
Role in Hong Kong Affairs
After joining the Politburo Standing Committee, Zhang Dejiang became the leader of the Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs. This made him the top official in charge of matters related to Hong Kong and Macau.
On the topic of electoral reform in Hong Kong, Zhang supported the central government's view. He stated that Beijing did not favor public nominations for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. He also publicly supported the performance of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
Zhang visited Hong Kong in May 2016. During his three-day visit, there was a very high level of security. He spoke at a conference about China's "One Belt, One Road" economic project. In February 2017, reports said that Zhang met with members of Hong Kong's Election Committee to discuss the election of the Chief Executive.
Family Life
Zhang Dejiang is married to Xin Shusen. She was born in July 1949. Xin Shusen held senior positions at the China Construction Bank and was also a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
See also
In Spanish: Zhang Dejiang para niños
