[citation needed] He was promoted in 1975 to a staff officer and deputy director of General Planning Division of Military Equipment Department of PLA Headquarters of the General Staff.

In 1998 he was made a member of the Central Military Commission and director and Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary of PLA General Armament Department.

From 2002 to 2003 he was a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, vice chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission; director and secretary of Party committee of PLA General Armament Department.

[citation needed] In March 2003, he was appointed as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China as well as state councilor.

[citation needed] In March 2008, he was the director and secretary of CCP committee of PLA General Armament Department.