Zhang Qiandong

Zhang Qiandong (Chinese: 张前东; born October 1966) is a Chinese coal miner and former team leader of the 103rd Team at the Yutianbao Coal Mine in Chongqing, China. He is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Zhang rose to national prominence in 2002, after leading 63 trapped miners to safety during a major flooding incident underground. For his bravery and leadership, he was named one of the inaugural recipients of the "Touching China Annual Person of the Year" award in 2002.

Early life Zhang was born in October 1966 in Yingshang County, Sichuan Province. He began working in the coal mining industry in 1988.

Yutianbao coal mine flood On June 13, 2002, heavy rainfall in the area near the Yutianbao Coal Mine, operated by the Nantung Mining Bureau in Chongqing, caused the Liujia River riverbed on the west side of the mine to collapse. Over 130 millimetres of rain fell within 10 hours, leading to a sudden influx of water into the mine. At around 8:00 a.m., Zhang was about to finish his shift when he noticed signs of flooding underground.

Later career In 2003, Zhang received the May 1st Labor Medal and the “Glory Contribution Award for Revitalizing Chongqing.” In 2005, he was honored as a National Model Worker. He later served as a delegate to the 16th People's Congress of Chongqing's Wansheng District and as the general manager of the Jiuguoqing Forestry Branch under the Nantong Mining Company.