Zhang Dejiang

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Zhang Dejiang (Chinese:张德江, Pinyin: Zhāng Déjiāng; born November 1946) is a current Vice-Premier and a prominent leader of the Communist Party of China, a member of its Politburo.

[edit] Biography

Zhang, a native of Tai'an, Liaoning, attended Yanbian University, where he studied the Korean language. Beginning in August 1978 Zhang attended Kim Il-sung University in North Korea and received a degree in economics. As a result some consider Zhang an ally of current North Korean dictator Kim Jung-il.

He rose to prominence during the era of Jiang Zemin, first serving as party chief in Jilin, and then being transferred to Zhejiang in 1998. In November 2002 he was transferred to Guangdong to become its party chief. As party chief in Guangdong and an ally of Jiang, he was actively involved in the 2003 SARS cover-up. During February and March 2003, Zhang actively censored the Southern Metro Daily in an attempt to hide the SARS crisis[1]. Some sources have suggested that although he is considered a Jiang supporter, he has openly spoken out against the Three Represents theory. He was also very suppressive of popular movements, including the 2005 Dongzhou protests.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.dwnews.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2008_2_27_9_7_6_518.html Letter to the Secretariat about Zhang Dejiang's deeds
Preceded by
He Zhukang
CPC Jilin Committee Secretary
1995–1998
Succeeded by
Wang Yunkun
Preceded by
Li Zemin
CPC Zhejiang Committee Secretary
1998–2002
Succeeded by
Xi Jinping
Preceded by
Li Changchun
CPC Guangdong Committee Secretary
2002–2007
Succeeded by
Wang Yang