Zhang Jinqiu

At 73 years old, Zhang Jinqiu is the eldest member of the Shaanxi delegation to the National People's Congress (NPC). Zhang is a member of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Engineering and is director of the China Northwest Building Design Research Institute.

Zhang was born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in 1936. She graduated from Tsinghua University with a degree in architecture in 1960, training under one of the pioneers of modern Chinese architecture, Liang Sicheng.

Zhang has designed large numbers of contemporary landmark architectures in Xi'an, including the Shaanxi History Museum, Tang Lotus Garden and Famen Temple. She also co-designed the Beijing Revolution History Museum and the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao. Zhang is one of two Chinese female architects who have won the honorary title of "Construction Master." Her thesis has attracted global attention, being published in many world-famous magazines.