In a significant development in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, Zhang Jianhua, former deputy director of China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, has been formally indicted on bribery charges. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate announced the charges on Tuesday, marking another high-profile case in the country’s systematic crackdown on corruption within government ranks.
Prosecutors allege that Zhang exploited his extensive authority across multiple senior positions, including his roles as head of finance and audit, chief engineer, and ultimately deputy head of the national defense technology administration. The indictment specifies that Zhang engaged in two distinct forms of corruption: direct bribery involving illegal acceptance of substantial monetary and property benefits, and influence peddling wherein he allegedly leveraged his official status both during and after his tenure to secure improper advantages for others through fellow government officials.
The case represents a collaborative effort between China’s disciplinary and judicial systems. Initially investigated by the National Supervisory Commission, the matter was subsequently transferred to prosecutorial authorities for formal legal proceedings. The Sichuan Provincial People’s Procuratorate, acting on behalf of national authorities, approved Zhang’s arrest, while the Dazhou People’s Procuratorate has initiated prosecution through the city’s Intermediate People’s Court.
Zhang’s career trajectory, spanning over four decades within China’s defense establishment, adds significance to the case. The 64-year-old Jiangsu native began his government service in 1983 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1985. His lengthy tenure within the sensitive national defense technology sector ended when he was placed under disciplinary investigation in May 2025, culminating in his expulsion from the Party five months later.