Zhang Yannong

Zhang Yannong (Chinese: 张研农; born November 1948) is a Chinese journalist, editor, and politician. He was born in Langzhong, Sichuan Province, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in August 1969. Zhang began working in February 1968. He graduated from the Graduate School of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party with a degree in philosophy and holds the title of senior editor. He previously served as President of the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA).^[1]

Zhang spent his early years in Yueyang, Hunan Province, and attended Beijing 101 Middle School for his secondary education. He enlisted in the People's Liberation Army in 1968 and transferred to civilian work in 1987, joining the Research Office of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.^[2]

In 1992, Zhang moved to the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, where he successively served as deputy director of the Research Office and deputy secretary-general. In 1996, he was appointed member of the editorial board and director of the Theory Department of the People’s Daily. Two years later, in 1998, he became deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper.^[3]

In February 2003, Zhang was promoted to editor-in-chief of the People’s Daily, and in March 2008, he became the newspaper’s president. In November 2016, he was appointed president of the All-China Journalists Association.^[4][5]