Zhang was born in Guo County (now Yuanping), Shanxi, in July 1935.[1] He enlisted in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in July 1951, and joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in December 1961.[1] He served in the Beijing Military Region (formerly known as North China Military Region) since June 1952, becoming director of Political Department in June 1985 and political commissar in April 1990.[1] He was commissioned as political commissar of the Chengdu Military Region in November 1992, he remained in that position until December 1993, when he was transferred to the PLA Academy of Military Science and given the position of political commissar.[1]