Before becoming a coach, he played professionally as a versatile defender or midfielder who predominantly represented Chongqing Lifan as well as the China national football team.
Wei Xin was inseparable from Chongqing throughout his entire football career playing for youth and then senior teams within the city.
This would lead to an international call-up where he would make his debut against North Korea on August 3, 2001, in a 2–2 draw.
[2] He would miss the 2002 FIFA World Cup, however his ability to play as a left back or midfield saw him able to return to the national team and be included in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup where he played a vital part in the teams runners-up position.
[3] His appointment required him to win promotion from the recently relegated side, which was something he achieved when he guided the team to a runners-up position at the end of the 2008 league season and promotion back into the Chinese Super League.