Zhang Gaoli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zhang Gaoli
张高丽
Zhang in 2014
First-ranked Vice Premier of China
In office 16 March 2013 – 19 March 2018
Premier	Li Keqiang
Preceded by	Li Keqiang
Succeeded by	Han Zheng
Communist Party Secretary of Tianjin
In office 25 March 2007 – 21 November 2012
Deputy	Dai Xianglong (Mayor) Huang Xingguo
Preceded by	Zhang Lichang
Succeeded by	Sun Chunlan
Communist Party Secretary of Shandong
In office 23 November 2002 – 26 March 2007
Deputy	Han Yuqun (Governor)
Preceded by	Wu Guanzheng
Succeeded by	Li Jianguo
Governor of Shandong
In office 6 December 2001 – 13 January 2003
Party Secretary	Wu Guanzheng
Preceded by	Li Chunting
Succeeded by	Han Yuqun
Personal details
Born	November 1946 (age 78) Chinchiang County, Fukien, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party
Spouse	Kang Jie
Children	1 son Zhang Xiaoyan (adopted daughter)
Alma mater	Xiamen University
Central institution membership 2002–2017: 16th, 17th, 18th Central Committee 2007–2017: 17th, 18th Politburo 2012–2017: 18th Politburo Standing Committee Leading group posts 2013–2018: Leader, Leading Group for Coordinating the South-North Water Transfer Project 2013–2018: Leader, Leading Group for Coordinating the Three Gorges Dam Project 2013–2018: Deputy Leader, Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms 2014–2018: Leader, Leading Group for Coordinating the Joint Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region 2014–2018: Leader, Leading Group for Advancing the Development of the Yangtze River Delta 2015–2018: Leader, Leading Group for Advancing the Development of One Belt One Road 2015–2018: Leader, Leading Group for the Transformation of the State Council

Zhang Gaoli (Chinese: 张高丽) is a Chinese politician who is now retired. He was born in November 1946. From 2013 to 2018, he served as the first-ranking Vice Premier of China. This means he was one of the most important leaders in the government.

Before that, from 2012 to 2017, he was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. This is a very small group of top leaders in China. He was the seventh-ranking member. Earlier in his career, Zhang was the Communist Party Secretary for Tianjin city (2007-2012) and Shandong province (2002-2007).

As a top leader, Zhang worked on important areas like finance, economic growth, natural resources, and housing. He also led major projects such as the Three Gorges Dam and the South–North Water Transfer Project. He also helped oversee the One Belt One Road initiative, which is about connecting countries through trade and infrastructure.

Life and career

Early life and education

Zhang Gaoli was born in November 1946 in a small village in Jinjiang County, Fujian province. His family were farmers and were not wealthy. He was the youngest of five children.

When Zhang was only three years old, his father passed away. His mother raised him and his four siblings by herself. As a child, Zhang helped his family on the farm. He also caught fish in a nearby river to help provide food.

In 1965, Zhang began studying economics at Xiamen University. After he graduated in 1970, he started working. He was sent to an oil company in Maoming. There, he worked as a construction worker, moving materials and concrete blocks.

Starting his political career

Zhang's first step into politics was in 1984. He became the deputy party secretary of Maoming. A year later, he became the head of the Guangdong Economic Commission.

By 1988, he was made Vice Governor of Guangdong province. In 1993, when he was 47, he joined the provincial Chinese Communist Party Provincial Standing Committee. This made him one of the top leaders in the province. He also helped develop the Pearl River Delta region.

In 1997, Zhang became the party secretary of Shenzhen. During his time in Shenzhen, he supported the growth of companies like Huawei. He also became an alternate member of the 15th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party that year.

Important roles in provinces

In late 2001, Zhang moved to the eastern province of Shandong. He became the governor and deputy provincial party secretary there. In 2002, he was promoted to provincial party secretary. This meant he was the main leader of Shandong province.

While in Shandong, Zhang told local officials to treat everyone fairly. He said they should not give special favors to his relatives or friends. This showed he wanted to fight against corruption.

In 2007, Zhang was moved to Tianjin, a large coastal city. He became the party secretary there. As the leader of Tianjin, he also became a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. In Tianjin, Zhang was known for being quiet and focused on his work. His motto was "do more, speak less."

Becoming a top leader

Zhang Gaoli with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

In 2012, after the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, Zhang became a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee (PSC). This is China's highest decision-making body. He was the seventh of seven members.

On March 15, 2013, Zhang was appointed the first-ranking Vice Premier. He worked in the government led by Premier Li Keqiang. In this role, he was in charge of many important national projects.

He oversaw the Three Gorges Dam project and the South-North Water Transfer Project. He also led the Commission on Food Safety. In 2015, he became the leader of the group for the One Belt One Road initiative. He also led groups for developing the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta.

Zhang's many leadership roles meant he played a big part in China's economic policies. He retired from the Politburo Standing Committee in 2017. He then stepped down as Vice Premier in 2018. Han Zheng took over his role.

Personal life

Zhang Gaoli is married to Kang Jie (Chinese: 康洁). They met when he was working at the oil company in Maoming. They have one son, who was serving in the army in 2013.

Zhang also has an adopted daughter named Zhang Xiaoyan (Chinese: 张晓燕). She is the biological daughter of his cousin. Zhang Xiaoyan is married to Li Shengpo (Chinese: 李圣泼). He is the son of a businessman from Hong Kong named Lee Yin Yee.

See also

In Spanish: Zhang Gaoli para niños