Han Zheng currently serves as the 11th vice president of the People's Republic of China, a position he assumed in March 2023. Throughout his political career, he has navigated the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party, holding major leadership roles in both the municipal government of Shanghai and the central state administration.
Early Professional Life
Born in Shanghai in 1954, Han spent his early years as a sent-down youth during the Cultural Revolution, working on a collective farm in Chongming County. He later transitioned into industrial administration, serving in roles at the Shanghai Chemical Equipment Industry company and the Shanghai No. 6 Rubber Shoes Factory. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1979 and pursued further education, completing studies at Fudan University and earning a master's degree in international political economy from East China Normal University.
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Han rose through the ranks of the Shanghai municipal government during the 1990s and early 2000s. He served as the mayor of Shanghai from 2003 to 2012, overseeing significant urban projects including the revitalization of Huaihai Road. Following the 2006 corruption scandal involving Chen Liangyu, Han served as the interim party secretary of the city. He later held the position of CCP committee secretary of Shanghai between 2012 and 2017, solidifying his role within the regional political apparatus.
National Authority and Hong Kong Affairs
In 2017, Han became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. By 2018, he was appointed first-ranked vice premier of the State Council. In this capacity, he directed the Central Leading Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs. He was a primary official involved in managing the response to the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests and overseeing the 2021 electoral changes in the region.
Vice Presidency
Following his retirement from the Politburo Standing Committee in 2022, Han was elected vice president of China in March 2023. His current responsibilities are largely ceremonial and diplomatic in nature. He has represented the Chinese government at high-profile international events, including the 2023 coronation of Charles III and Camilla, as well as the 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954, Shanghai
- Citizenship: People's Republic of China
- Education: East China Normal University, Fudan University
- Religion: Atheism
- Role: Vice President of the People's Republic of China (2023-present)
- Former position: Mayor of Shanghai (2003-2012)
- Language: Chinese
Questions readers ask
What is Han Zheng's academic background?
He studied at Fudan University and East China Normal University, where he earned a master's degree in international political economy and an undergraduate degree in politics.
Which major political body did Han belong to between 2017 and 2022?
He was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
