From 1960 to 1966, he studied in the department of engineering physics at SJTU, majoring in nuclear reactors.
Xie later became a teaching assistant and vice director of the laser research lab.
From 1978 to 1981, he studied optics in the department of applied physics at SJTU and obtained a master's degree.
From 1991, he served as the vice president of SJTU and a member of the University's CPC standing committee.
From July 1997, Xie served as the president of SJTU until his retirement on November 27, 2006.