Secretary-general of the Academic Committee of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) , Principal Researcher of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE)

Zhang received a BA in Law from Sichuan Normal University in 1981 and an MA in Economics from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology three years later.

From 1984 to 1996, he teached at Central University of Finance and Economics as Ph.D. in international finance. From 1986 to 1988, he was learning and working in University of Colorado, University of Toronto and Macroeconomics & Growth Division of World Bank respectively.

From 1984 to 1996, he teached at Central University of Finance and Economics as Ph.D. in international finance.

From 1986 to 1988, he was learning and working in University of colorado, University of Toronto and Macroeconomics & Growth Division of World Bank respectively.

From 1996 to 2011, he worked at the Institute of Foreign Economy of the National Development and Reform Commission as Head of Research office, Deputy Director and Director, researcher, and Ph.D. supervisor in international economics.

In 2012, he is appointed Secretary-general of Academic Committee of the National Development and Reform Commission.

He also worked at the World Bank EDI and supervised postgraduate students at the Central University of Finance and Economics up until 1996.

He is also a receiver of special government allowance from State Council.

Professor Zhang's main areas of research are international finance and international trade. He has presided over and participated in key research projects of the national social sciences for "Seventh Five-year" and "Eighth Five-year" plan, and key research projects for three national economy and social development planning which included "Tenth Five-Year Plan", "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" and "Twelfth Five-Year Plan". He has overseen key research projects for several of China's Five-Year plans including the most recent 12th Five-Year Plan. He has published over 20 books in English and Chinese, and over 300 academic papers.

Professor Zhang was awarded the SunYefang Economic Science Works Prize, the First Class Excellent Research Prize of the NDRC, China Development Research Prize and other prizes.

“The important thing is that we need to focus on what we are doing and do it well in the future,” said Zhang Yansheng. The current situation requires us to do our things well, which means we need to further deepen reform comprehensively, vigorously improve the new round of high-level opening-up, improve our international competitiveness, and unswervingly follow the path of high-quality development. Apart from that, we should work hard to improve our weak links, solve development bottlenecks, and realize the modernization of finance, energy and agriculture as soon as possible, so as to have a better position in the global supply chain, value chain and industrial chain.

Development in China is resilient and has great potential. China has long-term economic growth. The diversified structure of China's economy, the advantages of the whole industrial chain, and the turning space of large domestic demand market are enough to withstand the challenges of any big country. The current situation requires us to do our things well, which means we need to further deepen reform comprehensively, vigorously improve the new round of high-level opening-up, improve our international competitiveness, and unswervingly follow the path of high-quality development. At the same time, China and the United States, as major powers, should shoulder more international responsibilities. Therefore, cooperation is the only right choice for China and the United States.