[5][6] In 1985, he saw Japanese automakers bringing their manufacturing to China, and as a result, Cao directed his factory to begin producing automotive glass.

In 1987, he established the Fuyao Group and in 1993 the company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

[8] In March 2005, his son took over Fuyao Group as the chief executive, while Cao retains the chairmanship.

He cites Andrew Carnegie, an American industrialist and philanthropist, as one of the main inspirations behind his charity work.

He authored an autobiography titled A Heart like Bodhi (Chinese: 心若菩提; pinyin: Xīn ruò pútí) which was published in 2014.