Zhang started working in November 1968, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in April 1971.
He served in various posts in Qinhuangdao harbor administration bureau before entering Communist Youth League central committee in December 1978.
From August 1982 to June 1987, he took correspondence courses at Renmin University of China and obtained a degree in Marxism-Leninism theory.
From November 1991, he became the chairman of Chinese Youth Association and a secretary of CYL central secretariat.
In April 1993, Zhang became the vice president of Xinhua News Agency and a Party committee member there.