Yang entered Xinjiang University in September 1978 after the resumption of the National College Entrance Examination, majoring in political theory, where he graduated in August 1982.
He was said to possess immense power in Xinjiang largely because he grew up and lived in the region for most of his life and had an extensive network of contacts.
In 2013, Yang was selected to become a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and sat on its economics committee as a vice chair.
[2] On December 27, 2013, Yang was detained for investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Chinese Communist Party for "serious violations of laws and regulations".
[5] On July 11, 2014, at the conclusion of the CCDI investigation, Yang was accused of abuse of power, taking "massive bribes", and adultery, and was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party.