He initially held several lower positions in the Ministry of Railways, and moved up the ranks starting in 2000.

Born in April 1949 in Nanjing, Jiangsu, he is a member of China's majority Han ethnic group and holds a bachelor's degree.

[2] He became a board member of China Netcom and the Ministry of Railways was given a quarter interest in the company.

[3][4] During his tenure, the Wenzhou train collision occurred on July 23, 2011, killing 40, and injuring 192 (12 severely).

[6] In November 2016, he was appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the National People's Congress Financial and Economic Affairs Committee.