China Investigates Former Forestry Chief in Latest Graft Probe
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Zhang Jianlong
China’s top anti-corruption body has launched an investigation into Zhang Jianlong, the former head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, marking the downfall of the highest-ranking official in the country’s forestry system since its restructuring.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said Thursday that Zhang Jianlong is suspected of “serious violations of discipline and law,” a standard euphemism for corruption.
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- Zhang Jianlong, former head of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, is under investigation for suspected corruption, making him the highest-ranking forestry official implicated since the agency's restructuring.
- Zhang had a 38-year career in forestry, overseeing major afforestation projects like the Three-North Shelterbelt Program, and retired in 2020.
- The probe is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting senior forestry officials, including his subordinates and sector leaders since 2021.
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What Happened When
- January 1957：
- Zhang Jianlong was born in Hangjin Banner, Inner Mongolia.
- 1982：
- Zhang Jianlong graduated from the Inner Mongolia Forestry College and joined the 'Three-North' Shelterbelt Construction Bureau.
- 1995：
- Second phase of the Three-North Shelterbelt Program was completed during Zhang Jianlong's tenure as bureau chief.
- March 1999：
- Zhang Jianlong moved to Beijing to head the Department of Wildlife Conservation at the State Forestry Administration.
- October 2003：
- Zhang Jianlong was promoted to deputy director of the State Forestry Administration.
- June 2015：
- Zhang Jianlong became the director of the State Forestry Administration.
- March 2018：
- Zhang Jianlong was appointed as a member of the Party Group of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the first Director of the newly formed National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
- Summer 2020：
- Zhang Jianlong retired from his official positions.
- 2021：
- Zhou Yan, former head of the Forest Products Planning and Design Institute, was detained.
- 2023：
- Zhang Hongwen, former chief economist of the agency, was investigated.
- May 2024：
- Authorities announced an investigation into Zhang Haiqing, former deputy director of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
- August 2024：
- Cao Qingyao, former spokesman for the State Forestry Administration, was investigated while serving in the Chongqing municipal government.
- May 2025：
- Li Chunliang, former deputy director of the administration, was placed under investigation.
- By 2026-01-21：
- Zhang Jianlong became the fourth senior official ('tiger') to be targeted by the central anti-corruption probe in the first three weeks of 2026.
- 2026-01-21：
- Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced the investigation into Zhang Jianlong for 'serious violations of discipline and law.'
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