He previously served as the first-ranking vice premier of China between 2018 and 2023, and as the seventh-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) between 2017 and 2022.

Regarded as "number eight" in seniority of the leadership of China and a close adviser to president Xi Jinping, Han's ceremonial role in the state government has focused on foreign affairs and diplomacy.

He has served as president Xi's special representative at events such as the coronation of Charles III and Camilla in 2023 and the second inauguration of Donald Trump in 2025.

During his tenure in the district, Han spearheaded the Huaihai Road revitalization initiative, transforming the street to a glamorous shopping destination.

He then obtained a master's degree in international political economy from East China Normal University between 1991 and 1994 and earned the title of senior economist.

[2][4] In July 1995, Han was named deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, during which he was made the deputy CCP secretary of the Municipal Comprehensive Economic Work Committee, the director of the City Planning Commission, and the director of the Securities Management Office.

In December 1997, he was named a member of the municipal CCP Standing Committee for the first time, entering sub-provincial ranks.

[8] In March 2018 the National People's Congress appointed him as the first-ranked vice premier of the State Council in Li Keqiang Government.

[10] It also reported that Han summoned Lam to the Bauhinia Villa, used by the Chinese government for talks with Hong Kong officials, on 12 June.

There, Lam proposed the suspension of the extradition bill which triggered the protests, which Han then agreed to after talking to other leaders in China.

On 10 March 2023, Han was elected during the first session of the 14th NPC as the vice president of China, succeeding Wang Qishan.

[21] Han's presence at the event, as he is a trusted senior official, was seen by commentators as representative of Xi's interest in strengthening China–United States relations.

[23] Han Zheng is married to Wang Ming, who reportedly once served as a vice chair of the Shanghai Charity Foundation.