In such a role, Mr Zhang, who has risen with lightning speed in his 10 years at the bank, has provided a valuable counterweight to James Wolfensohn, the expansive and ambitious outgoing president.

• “他推动着世行机构的运转，”章的一位同事解释说。“他行事低调，但工作得法，既不引发争议，也不世故圆滑，在世行内部颇受爱戴。”