[1] Ma was a member of the 16th and the 17th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

In 2003 he was given responsibility for the National Development and Reform Commission, an organization which has broad administrative and planning control over the economy of China.

[2] Ma was elected to 18th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2012.

[3] His portfolio included putting forth Chinese policies with regard to global warming.

[3] In November 2017, Ma Kai was appointed to lead the Financial Stability and Development Committee (FSDC).