Ethnic Han, born in June 1953, native of Fuping, Shaanxi Province. Joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in January 1974 and began working in January 1969. Graduated from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsinghua University, majoring in Marxist theory and ideological education. With an on-the-job postgraduate education. Doctor of Laws (LLD).

Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice president of PRC and president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

1969-1975: Worked as an educated youth sent to the countryside at Liangjiahe Brigade, Wen'anyi Commune, Yanchuan County, Shaanxi Province, and served as Party branch secretary

1975-1979: Student of basic organic synthesis at the Chemical Engineering Department of Tsinghua University

1979-1982: Secretary at the General Office of the State Council and the General Office of the Central Military Commission (as an officer in active service)

1982-1983: Deputy secretary of the CPC Zhengding County Committee, Hebei Province

1983-1985: Secretary of the CPC Zhengding County Committee, Hebei Province

1985-1988: Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and vice mayor of Xiamen, Fujian Province

1988-1990: Secretary of the CPC Ningde Prefectural Committee, Fujian Province

1990-1993: Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People's Congress, Fujian Province

1993-1995: Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People's Congress

1995-1996: Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People's Congress

1996-1999: Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee

1999-2000: Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and acting governor of Fujian Province

2000-2002: Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and governor of Fujian Province (1998-2002 Studied Marxist theory and ideological education in an on-the-job postgraduate program at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsinghua University and graduated with an LLD degree)

2002-2002: Deputy secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and acting governor of Zhejiang Province

2002-2003: Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and acting governor of Zhejiang Province

2003-2007: Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress

2007-2007: Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee

2007-2008: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and president of Party School of the CPC Central Committee

2008-2010: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice president of PRC and president of Party School of the CPC Central Committee

2010- : Vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission

Alternate member of the 15th CPC Central Committee, member of the 16th and 17th CPC Central Committees, and member of the Political Bureau of the 17th CPC Central Committee, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 17th CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the 17th CPC Central Committee. Elected vice president of PRC at the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress.