Born in Hepu County, Guangxi, Xu began his career as a 400 metres specialist.

At the age of sixteen he was runner-up in that event at the 8th National Games of China with a Chinese youth record of 46.01 seconds.

His debut global performance came at the 1998 World Youth Games, where he was the 400 m champion as well as the gold medallist in the 4×400 metres relay.

[2] An appearance at the 1998 World Junior Championships in Athletics came the next month, but there he failed to make the finals of either the 200 m or 400 m.[3] Xu also claimed the 400 m title at the 1999 Chinese City Games.

[5] He returned to his specialist event the following year and claimed his fourth 400 m national title at the Chinese Championships.