Zhang Youxia, male, Han ethnicity, was born in July 1950 and is from Weinan, Shaanxi Province. He joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in December 1968 and the Communist Party of China (CPC) in May 1969. He graduated from the Basic Department of the PLA Military Academy and received a junior college education.

Zhang is currently a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. He holds the rank of general in the PLA Ground Force.