After completing middle school in his home province, in 1919 he traveled to France to attend a work-study program and here he started his political activity.

While she served as chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation (a post she held until 1978), Li Fuchun was appointed deputy head of the Central Economic and Financial Commission under Chen Yun and Minister of Heavy Industry.

[1] Li Fuchun became director of the Planning Commission and in this role he set design rules stating that Third Front projects should not attempt to be "big and complete" or incorporate major administrative, social service, or other buildings not involved in production.

During a "general report conference of the Centre's political work" in October 1966, Mao Zedong said of him: "Li Fuchun has been asked to rest for a year.

After the fall of Lin Biao in 1971, Mao Zedong declared that the "February Countercurrent" was a closed chapter, and so Li Fuchun was completely rehabilitated.

He was elected to the 10th CCP Central Committee in 1973 and also to the 4th National People's Congress in 1974, but he could not attend it as he died on January 9, 1975, just 4 days before its first session.