Zhang Xin Replaces Zhang Jun as Chinese Badminton Association President

Zhang Xin has taken over as president of the Chinese Badminton Association, replacing two-time Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun following a corruption investigation.

The leadership change was announced on Sept 8 by the Chinese Badminton Association, naming Zhang Xin—an official from China’s General Administration of Sport—to head the governing body. The appointment arrives after Zhang Jun was accused in April of serious violations of discipline and law, a phrase commonly used in China to denote corruption investigations. According to the article, Zhang Jun had not been seen publicly for months prior to the announcement.

Anti-Corruption Vows and Institutional Purge

Following his appointment on Sept 8, Zhang Xin pledged to crack down on corruption and reform the sport’s administrative ranks. As reported by the article, the new president stated that the governing body would resolutely carry the fight against corruption through to the end and draw lessons from these cases.

Zhang Xin also emphasized that the association would work to ensure officials do not dare to be corrupt, are not able to be corrupt, and have no desire to be corrupt, according to the article. The leadership transition coincides with a broader governmental crackdown on corruption under Chinese President Xi Jinping, which has increasingly extended into the nation’s sports sector.

Additional Departures at the Chinese Badminton Association

The restructuring at the top of Chinese badminton extended beyond the presidency, with multiple high-ranking officials facing scrutiny from investigators. Alongside Zhang Xin’s appointment, CBA vice-president Xia Xuanze was removed from his post on Sept 8, according to the article. Xia, who secured an Olympic bronze medal in 2000, was placed under investigation in August for suspected serious violations of the law.

Furthermore, the article reported that former vice-chairman and secretary-general Wang Wei was placed under investigation on the same day as Xia. These personnel actions leave China’s badminton administration navigating a profound leadership vacuum as the new president attempts to purge industry chaos and stabilize the governing body for international competition.