[1] Zhang at beginning was an industrial worker in a textile factory which he joined in 1973, later became an official serving in the local government.
Two years later, he first entered the constructional industry, then developed his own business in the field of real estate.
[5] On November 30, 2022, Zhang was arrested in London, England, on charges of bribing convicted felon Mohammed Nuru in San Francisco.
"[8][9] In July 2023, Zhang returned to San Francisco and admitted bribing Nuru in order to fast-track one of his projects in the city.
Zhang agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and admit his bribes and other corrupt acts as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.