Zhang Jian (lieutenant general)

Zhang was born in Yiyang, Hunan, in 1963.^[1] He secondary studied at Yiyang No. 1 High School.^[1]

Zhang served in the Guangzhou Military Region for a long time in his early years. In 1997, he served as head of the office of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison. Afterwards, he successively served as commander of the Infantry Brigade of the Hong Kong Garrison, deputy chief of staff of the Hong Kong Garrison, and director of the Operations Department of the Guangzhou Military Region.

In 2007, Zhang became chief of staff of the 42nd Group Army, and later rose to deputy commander.

In May 2013, Zhang was chosen as commander of the Hubei Military District, but having held the position for only more than a year.^[2]

In September 2014, Zhang was transferred to south China's Hainan province and appointed commander of the Hainan Military District.^[2]

In February 2016, Zhang became chief of staff of the newly founded Eastern Theater Command Ground Force.^[3]

In March 2017, Zhang was appointed as director of the Operations Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.^[4]

In August 2017, Zhang was commissioned as commander of the Southern Theater Command Ground Force.^[5]

In 2023, Zhang rose to become deputy commander of the Western Theater Command, in addition to serving as chief of staff.^[6]

He was promoted to the rank of major general (shaojiang) in July 2010 and lieutenant general (zhongjiang) in June 2019.^[7][8]

Military offices
Preceded by Wang Jinyu [zh]	Commander of the Hubei Military District 2013–2014	Succeeded by Chen Shoumin [zh]
Preceded by Tan Benhong	Commander of the Hainan Military District 2014–2016
New title	Chief of Staff of the Eastern Theater Command Ground Force 2016–2017	Succeeded by Zhou Youya [zh]
	Director of the Operations Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission 2017	Succeeded by Jia Jiancheng [zh]
Preceded by Liu Xiaowu	Commander of the Southern Theater Command Ground Force 2017–2023	Succeeded by Hu Zhongqiang
Preceded by Li Zhonglin [zh]	Chief of Staff of the Western Theater Command 2023–present	Incumbent