Zhang Gaoli, male, Han nationality, is a native of Jinjiang, Fujian Province. Zhang was born in 1946, graduated from Xiamen University in 1970 and joined the CPC in 1973.
Zhang served in several party and government roles in Guangdong Province for about 12 years. He also spent several years leadership roles in the Shenzhen CPC. From 2002 to 2003, he was Governor of Shandong Province.
Zhang was an alternate member of the 15th CPC Central Committee and a member of the 16th CPC Central Committee. From 2007 to 2012 Zhang served as secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee and a member of the Politburo of the 17th CPC Central Committee and a member of the 17th CPC Central Committee.
In 2012, he was elected member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the 18th CPC Central Committee. In 2013 he became Vice-Premier of the State Council, Director of the State Council Leading Group for the 1st Nationwide Geography Conditions Survey, director of the State Council Leading Group for Nationwide Economy Census, Director of State Council Construction Committee for South-to-North Water Division Project, and deputy director of the State Energy Commission.