Zhang was born in Boxing County, Shandong province, and joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in May 1974.

From April 2008 onward, he served as deputy party group secretary of the Supreme People's Court, becoming a minister-level official.

In October 2012, Zhang resigned his posts in the Supreme People's Court and in the 8th session of the Seventeenth Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, he was selected as deputy secretary.

[3] In November 2012, Zhang extended his term as deputy secretary of the CCDI during the first session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

[4] In March 2023, Zhang was appointed as the president of the Supreme People's Court, making him the only person to have ever served as head of both the highest institutions of judiciary and prosecution to date.