In 2013, Tao was scouted as a promising youngster and invited to train with the youth teams of Spanish side Villarreal.

[2] Soon after completing his move to Hebei he was promoted to the first team and was handed his debut in a Chinese Super League game by the Head coach Chris Coleman on 2 March 2019 against Shenzhen F.C.

[4] By the end of the season Tao had become a regular within the team and fellow top tier club Dalian Professional signed him on 27 February 2020.

[7] On 29 April 2022, it was announced that Tao would join newly-promoted Chinese Super League club Wuhan Three Towns.

[10] On 24 July 2022, Tao made his international debut in a 0-0 draw against Japan in the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, as the Chinese FA decided to field the U-23 national team for this senior competition.