After graduation, Sun labor at May Seventh Cadre School in Liuhe County, Jiangsu Province.

In December 1989, Sun served as deputy secretary of Jiangsu Committee of Chinese Communist Party.

In April 1994, Sun was transferred to Ministry of Radio, Film and Television, where he was the minister for 4 years from 1994 to 1998.

In November 2006, Sun was elected the Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

In March 2008, Sun was elected 11th vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.