He began to work in the petroleum industry and was in charge of oil exploration in northeastern Jilin Province, before obtaining his master's degree at Nankai.

From July 1999 to September 2001, Wang worked in the Communist Party Committee of Gansu Province as head of the provincial organization department.

Wang, who was a relatively youthful 55 at the time of his appointment, seemed destined for the coveted Beijing party chief position.

[5] Wang's term lasted just over four years, during which assisted in Beijing's successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

On 30 October 2016, Wang resigned as mayor of Beijing, revealing that he was being transferred to another position.