Zhang Jingchu was born in Fujian, a southern province of China. She graduated in Drama directing from the prestigious Central Drama Academy of Beijing. Her big break came in 2003 when she was cast as the leading role in Peacock, directed by Gu Changwei, the 66th Academy Award nominee for Cinematography. Peacock won the Jury Grand Prix or the Silver Bear at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival. The Chinese press decided to call 2005 ‘the year of Zhang Jingchu’, the newly crowned screen queen of Chinese films. In 2005, Zhang Jinchu was picked by Tsui Hark, the master of Chinese martial arts films, to play in his ambitious Seven Swords. The film was chosen to open the 62nd Venice Film Festival and earned Zhang a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2006. Zhang Jingchu is currently filming for Rush Hour 3 in Los Angeles. Among her works: Protégé – 2007, Jade Warrior – 2006, The Road – 2006, Seven Nights – 2005 and Huayao Bride in Shangrila – 2005.