[1][2][3] Xu was a member of the 7th, 8th, 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Xu was born in Huoqiu County, Anhui in December 1959.
[1][2][3] In 1978, Xu left Anhui to Henan, where he was drafted into the People's Liberation Army and served for 16 years.
[1][2][3] Xu graduated from People's Liberation Army Arts College in 1991, where he majored in literature.
[1][2][3] In 1994, Xu was transferred to People's Liberation Army Publishing House.