In August 1932, Li was born in Hefei, Anhui province, China.
[citation needed] In 1952, Li entered the foreign ministry of PRC.
From 1984 to 1988, Li served as the international section chief of the foreign ministry.
From 1993 to 1998, Li served as the PRC's ambassador to the United States.
From 1998, Li served in the National People's Congress until his retirement in 2004.