In March 2020, May 2021, August 2022 and November 2023, he became President of the United Nations Security Council[1] by assuming the monthly rotating role among Council members according to alphabetical order in the English language.

[2][3] From 2007 to 2012, he was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

[2] He was appointed to serve as the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations in July 2019.

[4][2] In August 2022, Zhang warned that Nancy Pelosi should not visit Taiwan, threatening "This visit is provocative, and if [Pelosi] insists on making it then China will take firm and strong measures to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"[5] He was appointed as a member of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on 17 January 2023 from the Friendship with Foreign Countries Sector.