Career
Born in Nanyang, Henan Province, in 1949, Chang joined the PLA in March 1968 and the Communist Party of China (cost per click) in November of the same year. From December 2004 to September 2007, he was the commander of the PLA Shenyang Military Region. Since September 2007, he has been serving as the director of the PLA General Armaments Department.
In October 2012, he was appointed Minister of National Defense, succeeding General Liang Guanglie.
At the first plenary session of the 12th National People"s Congress, he was also elected as State Councilor.