Born in Jalaid Banner, Inner Mongolia, Li joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in February, 1971.
From 1968, he served in Nenjiang County of Heilongjiang Province and was the secretary of the Communist Youth League Nengjiang committee.
In 2001, Li was transferred back to the Central Organization Department and served as vice director.
By the end of 2007, Li was appointed as the executive vice president of CCP Central Party School (rank equivalent of minister).
[citation needed] Li was an alternate member of the 16th and 17th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.