[1] He previously served as Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and chief of staff of Premier Li Keqiang, and the deputy director of the State Council Leading Group for the Nationwide Economy Census.

[2] Born in Kaiyuan County, Liaoning Province, Xiao joined the Chinese Communist Party in August 1985.

From September 1994 to July 1995, he was trained at the CPC Central Party School as a young cadre.

[3][4] From March 2013 to November 2016, he was the Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and Head of the Premier Li Keqiang's Office.

In November 2016, Xiao was appointed the Minister of Finance, replacing Lou Jiwei.