During the Cultural Revolution, Cai was forced to leave his home in the Wudu region of Gansu.

In October 1976, Cai was transferred to the Gansu coal authority, and became the body's political affairs cadre.

After retaking the National College Entrance Examination, Cai entered Peking University in 1978.

He retired after having reached the age of 65 from his post as Minister of Culture in December 2014.

Cai Wu is a member of the 17th and 18th Central Committees of the Chinese Communist Party, and a professor of international relations at Renmin University.