Born in Shanghai in May 1950, history PhD; started work in September 1968; joined the Chinese Communist Party in December 1971;

In 1968, studied at the concentrated training class for diplomatic work in foreign countries;

From January 1973 to June 1975, studied international relations at the London Political and Economic Institute of Great Britain;

From June1975, worked as staff member in the Department of Translation and Interpretation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA);

From February 1983, acted in roles of Second Secretary, First Secretary and Counselor consecutively in the Chinese Embassy in the United States of America;

From June 1987, assumed the office of Counselor and Office Director in the Department of Translation and Interpretation, MFA;

From January 1990, assumed the office of Counselor and Office Director, Deputy Director-General consecutively in the Department of North American and Oceania Affairs, MFA;

From June 1993, acted as Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the United States of America;

From February 1995, assumed the office of Assistant Minister and CPC Party Committee Member in the MFA;

From February 1998, assumed the office of Vice-Minister and CPC Party Committee Member of the MFA;

From December 2000, Ambassador to the United States of America;

From December 2004, worked as Vice Minister and CPC Party Committee Member of the MFA;

From May 2005, assumed the office of Vice-Minister and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Party Committee of the MFA;

Since April 2007, has assumed the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs.