He previously served as the Chinese Ambassador to Russia (2009–2019) and Kazakhstan (1997–2000), and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (2008–2009).

On 13 August 2009, he was appointed as the Chinese Ambassador to Russia by the then 11th National People's Congress, succeeding Liu Guchang.

In a 2020 essay for the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, he wrote that China and Russia "will, as always, show firm support for each other’s efforts to uphold one’s own sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and other core interests.

"[2][5] On 26 April 2023, he was appointed as Chinese special representative for the settlement of the Russo-Ukrainian War and would visit Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Poland and France to take part in the talks seeking to resolve the conflict.

The parties discussed the principles of restoring a stable and just peace based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, while Kuleba stated that Ukraine would not accept any proposals that would involve the loss of its territories or freezing of the conflict.