Chang's rise to the presidency represents Southern China's transition of leadership from old, establishment Communists to younger, more pragmatic technocrats. For most of Chang's adult life he has been involved in the Youth party bureaucracy, notably as Party Chief for the Xianggang Autonomous Region, and then later Vice-President under Ma Huáng. An advocate for Southern China's peaceful rise, Chang's political philosophy is summarily described as aiming to found a basis for a Harmonious Society domestically and for Peaceful Development internationally, the former generated by a Scientific Development Concept, which seeks integrated solutions to tackle Southern China's various economic, environmental and social problems.